Allexer Namundjembo
After years of illness and hardship, 23-year-old Johanna Kamati is preparing to start a new chapter in her life as she pursues a career in tourism.
She will enrol for level 4 studies next year at the African Hospitality and Tourism Vocational Training Centre in Windhoek, moving closer to her dream of working in the tourism industry.
Johanna’s journey has not been easy. Born in Letu-Letu village in the Mangetti Dune area of the Otjozondjupa region, she grew up as the only girl among five brothers. Her parents, originally from Okongo in the Ohangwena region, moved in search of better opportunities.
Life at home was tough. Her parents had no formal jobs and survived through small domestic work in the community.
““I grew up in a small village called Letu-Letu in Mangetti Dune in the Otjozondjupa region. My parents did not have formal jobs, but they used to do domestic work for other community members,” she said.
Johanna often joined her father as he cleaned yards and watered gardens. While growing up, she battled several health problems that affected her schooling.
“I used to follow my father everywhere he went and eventually helped him clean yards and water gardens. I suffered several health challenges in my years of school from Grade 1 to 11, but I knew that I would overcome them,” she said.
Despite failing to progress beyond Grade 11, Johanna refused to give up on her education. Her determination to change her circumstances kept her going.
“Palms For Life helped me to enrol for COSDEF in 2022 up until 2025,” she said, expressing gratitude to the organisation that funded her studies.
Today, Johanna is one of 1 300 students supported by Palms For Life, a non-profit organisation that helps young Namibians access vocational education and build sustainable livelihoods.
