Aurelia Afrikaner keeps moving forward

At just 28, Aurelia Beatrix Afrikaner has taken on a senior leadership position many spend decades working towards.

Yet behind the new title is someone still learning to believe she belongs there.

Afrikaner was recently appointed executive director of Windhoek Express at Network Media Hub, a role she admits she never would have believed she could achieve at such a young age.

“When I was appointed executive director, I struggled to see in myself what others saw in me", she says.

"I had very little confidence in myself, but I remain forever grateful to Octavia Tsibes, who saw potential in me long before I could see it in myself. She recognised that the young woman from Okahandja had much more to offer."

Afrikaner was born and raised in Okahandja, the youngest of two daughters.

“I was raised by a single mother who always had immense faith in me, even during the times when I struggled to believe in myself.”

A self-described mischievous teenager, Afrikaner said her mother's strength was central to teaching her resilience, even through her difficult final years at school.

"I realised that I needed to be strong and keep moving forward."

She completed Grade 12 at St Therese Secondary School before pursuing a qualification in television production at the College of the Arts (COTA). She is currently furthering her studies in media studies at the University of Namibia.

An unexpected path

After the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, Afrikaner applied for an internship at MyZone in 2023, having never completed one after graduating from COTA.

"When I started my internship at MyZone in 2023, I never imagined that it would open so many doors," she explains.

At the time, she wanted to write documentary scripts. But being pushed beyond that changed the direction of her career.

"Being challenged to step outside my comfort zone and write newspaper articles helped me discover abilities I did not know I had."

Since then, her role has expanded across writing, presenting, editing and management.

"Professionally, I see myself as a multimedia storyteller for different communities who is always willing to learn, grow and take on new challenges," she says.

Finding her place

But her growth has not been a smooth or confident climb.

"Even when opportunities came my way, I sometimes questioned whether I was deserving of them," she admits.

Navigating that uncertainty has required deliberate effort, faith and willingly stepping “into uncomfortable spaces.”

Now in a leadership position, that internal work has only intensified.

“I thought leadership was mainly about managing people,” she says. “But I have learned that it also involves setting an example, taking accountability and continuing to learn every day.”

There is also the weight of expectation.

"One of my biggest challenges is learning to trust myself more and embrace the responsibility that comes with leadership," she says.

"There is always pressure to perform and make the right decisions."

She is the first to admit she does not have all the answers.

"Leadership is not about having all the answers but about being willing to grow through every challenge," she says.

She credits mentorship as central to that process.

Look ahead

If there is a constant in her story, it is persistence. “I believe perseverance defines me the most,” she says. “My journey has not been straightforward… but I have always found a way to keep moving forward.”

At this stage of her life, she is focused not just on building a career, but on building something meaningful.

Apart from climbing the media industry ranks, Afrikaner is an enthusiastic soccer player and the proud mother of a son and a loving aunt.

"Growing up, I was always surrounded by boys. Whether at school or at home, I was usually the only girl playing soccer. I often played as a goalkeeper, but on some days I would be a midfielder, a left winger, or whichever position I felt like playing that day."

She says her adaptability on the field has carried over into her career. "Just as I was willing to play different positions on the soccer field, I have been willing to take on different roles in my career and continue learning along the way."

Everything she has achieved, Afrikaner says, is rooted in faith, family and perseverance. Her mother prayed for her daily as she pursued her dreams, and Afrikaner says that faith carried her through the moments when she was on the verge of giving up.

“My story is proof that failure is not the end but often the beginning of something greater. Through faith, hard work and determination, I have learned that every setback can become a stepping stone towards success.”