Bold and determined

Evany van Wyk Humility and empathy for others, no matter their status in society, is the cornerstone of how Johanna Kambala lives her life. She was recently appointed as the marketing and stakeholder engagement specialist at the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN).Kambala aims to ensure that the CPBN is seen as a reputable organisation that gains acceptance and trust from its stakeholders.A lack of finances caused her to be one of the unfortunate ones, who could not afford to further their studies at tertiary level. A cousin introduced her to the right people and before long she was working as a volunteer assistant at the post office in the public relations department. She had no job experience or even computer knowledge. For six months she received no salary, but this did not deter her from waking up every day to go to work, as her dreams and ambitions were bigger than money. It is because of her dedication that her potential was recognised and she was recommended for full-time employment. The recommendation was not well-received, but her boss fought hard to make sure she got the job. “Volunteerism has a great impact on one’s personal growth, as it opens doors and opportunities,” said Kambala. She was privileged to undergo training with the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), where she obtained a certificate in the basic principles of public relations, followed by a certificate in public relations practice. “After being exposed to these two trainings, I was hungry for more and wanted to advance my career while I was still working,” she said. Kambala now boasts over 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing field, and is the holder of a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a diploma in public relations management and a certificate in public relations management.She is currently busy with her honours in marketing. Next year this ambitious career woman wants to enrol for her master’s in marketing. Kambala highlighted that the biggest mistake young people make when choosing a career is comparing themselves to others or making a choice based on someone else in that particular career. “As individuals, we need to retrospect ourselves and identify our strengths and weaknesses,” she said. Her advice is for people to do endless research and analyse their individual characters, before making the decision. She said he outspoken character ignited her passion for communication.Kambala describes her role in the organisation as vital, as it deals with image and reputation. “One of my main responsibilities is to make sure that the image of the CPBN is enhanced, by developing and implementing communication strategies for our various stakeholders,” she explained.She said every new job is a challenge, but she also believes that challenges contribute greatly to growth. “If we do not challenge our capabilities, we will never know the full range of our abilities,” Kambala said. Being a single mother, a businesswoman and a student, all while having a regular job, is not easy, but her passion and hunger to succeed kept her going. “If I could do all this, who or what is stopping others from doing the same?” Kambala added.C1- Johanna Kambala is a strong determined career woman.PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Bold and determined

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Bold and determined

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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