Insights into HR from a veteran

Being a good human resource practitioner is not about how long you have served but about how much you have learned, led and contributed over the years. With 22 years in the field, I have seen how HR can either build or break an organisation. It is a role that requires discipline, trust, legal awareness and a deep understanding of people.

Currently I serve as a human resource practitioner at the Intermediate Hospital Onandjokwe in Onipa under the health and social services ministry.

My professional foundation was laid in 2000, when I began my career in the ministry of defence as a personnel clerk at 261 Battalion in Rundu. I quickly adapted, and within one month, I was already working independently. That early exposure gave me the clarity and confidence to pursue HR as my lifelong profession.

Over the years, I have come to see HR as the backbone of any institution. It is responsible for placing the right people, creating fair and motivating work environments, and ensuring laws and procedures are followed. In the health sector, where lives depend on staff performance, the value of HR becomes even more evident.

To strengthen my skills, I studied human resource management at the Polytechnic of Namibia, obtaining both a diploma and a bachelor’s degree.

I later completed a diploma in legal studies through the Institute of Commercial Management in London.

My internship at the ministry of justice taught me practical skills such as drafting official submissions, calculating benefits and interpreting the Labour Act. These are vital tools in handling disciplinary cases, resolving disputes, and guiding management decisions.

Fairness, confidentiality and consistency are the pillars of professional HR practice. A good HR practitioner must remain impartial, protect sensitive information and treat every person with respect.

Moments of growth

Whether dealing with an entry-level employee or a senior executive, I apply the same principles: listen first, assess carefully and act justly.

I have also worked in challenging environments outside the office. I participated in the Mandume war operation in Angola between 2001 and 2002 and served in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia from 2004 to 2005 and was stationed at Sinje under NAMBATT II.

These experiences taught me discipline, cultural awareness and how HR functions in international and military contexts.

Throughout my career, I have faced issues like absenteeism, team conflicts and resistance to change.

But I have found that careful listening, timely engagement and strong leadership can turn these challenges into moments of growth.

Success in HR requires more than academic qualifications. It demands emotional intelligence, legal understanding, humility and the ability to work closely with people from all backgrounds. It means accepting feedback, correcting mistakes and leading by example every day.

I am proud of my service and grateful for the support of my wife and children, who have motivated me through each stage of my career. Their encouragement keeps me grounded and inspired.

To young Namibians considering this path, I say this: HR is not about sitting at a desk. It is about building trust, solving real problems and being the voice of fairness in every institution. Learn the law, respect every person, avoid favouritism, be teachable, and above all, carry your responsibilities with honesty and strength.

That is what it takes to be a veteran in human resource management.