A small-town woman climbs the corporate ladder in the big city

Desiree Gases Hamukwaya obtained her advanced diploma in education: economic science through the University of Johannesburg and worked in the ministry of education from 2002 until 2004 as a qualified teacher at one of the village schools in the heart of Ohangwena Region.“In October 2004 on the daily school break time, I saw learners reading a Namibian newspaper. I asked them to share the newspaper after they were done. Upon receiving the newspaper, I noticed an advertisement for CBT (Bank Windhoek Candidate Bankers Trainee),” said Rauha Hamukwaya. The advert caught her attention and it led Hamukwaya to the point of applying for it. She was declared one of the best candidates. Hamukwaya started the training in Windhoek in January and she joined Bank Windhoek in March 2005 through 2005 CBT as an enquiry clerk at the Eenhana branch. “When I joined Bank Windhoek I registered with Institute of Bankers (IOB) where I obtained an advanced diploma in banking, finance and credit level seven. In order for me to improve my administration skills, I registered for an honours degree with Southern Business School, currently known as Studio Namibia, where I graduated in 2018 on business administration honours level eight. I am currently doing my master of management level nine through Stadio, hoping and waiting upon the graduation in September 2022. I am aspiring on continuing with a doctorate of management in 2022. With that being said, throughout my Bank Windhoek journey, I managed to attend different workshops that equipped me with different skills.”Hamukwaya moved to teller in 2006 and returned to enquiry in Jan 2007 until June 2007. She was later promoted to supervisor of customer service. The journey did not end there. In August 2015, Hamukwaya was further promoted to branch administrator of Bank Windhoek Eenhana Service Centre, in which position she is still serving.“My role demands a committed and hardworking individual. One needs to actively monitor and jointly lead all the departments. I am in charge of telling, enquiry, sales, admin as well as fulfilling managerial roles as a branch administrator. My position requires someone lenient who can accept challenges. It needs someone with understanding of the whole bank process and customers at large. “For me to excel, I normally use and try to understand the 7FE framework practice that consists of the 4Fs with different phases (future, foundation and solutions, fulfilment and future) and the 3Es that are essentials (project management, people change management and leadership),” said Hamukwaya. This 7FE framework guided Hamukwaya and made her strong enough to tackle the branch administrator role and at the same time acting as branch manager for the Eenhana branch. Hamukwaya has had some accomplishments throughout her journey. She feels proud of the staff she trained. The majority of her staff never stay two years in the same position and they never fail internal or external interviews. Hamukwaya made it possible for the branch to grow from seven employees to 12. The teamwork and cooperation they have in the branch always puts a smile on her face. Besides the joyful accomplishments, there are some challenges Hamukwaya encountered, such as difficult customers and sales figures that were not on target.“The achievement I am most proud of so far is the audit reports for Eenhana branch that were green for the two consecutive terms. That was when I scored above 90% and in and 2017 as well as in 2020 with Covid-19 challenges,” said Hamukwaya.

A small-town woman climbs the corporate ladder in the big city

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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A small-town woman climbs the corporate ladder in the big city

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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