Karl Heinz Burger, a community cornerstone
Elizabeth Joseph
Hailing from the dusty streets of Maltahöhe, 43-year-old Karl Heinz Burger worked his way to the top after landing a supervisor position at a business in Windhoek at the tender age of 17.
Juggling work and school showed Burger that he can take on any challenge if he applied himself to the fullest.
"I worked very hard because I knew that if I don't do it for myself no one else will. After working part-time, I completed high school, and thereafter I did short courses until I knew what I wanted to do with my life," he says.
In 2000, Burger started a company, Irish Construction Cooling Services, that focused mainly on repairs and maintenance of computer boxes and motherboards.
He says knowing what you want makes the process to full entrepreneurship and financial independence easier.
"I had such a passion for technology and computers as a whole and thus remained in that industry. I had the background and the willingness to learn and that went hand in hand."
Burger moved to Keetmanshoop a year later and has since become a pillar of the community and popular among the people. He is known for his attention to detail and the punctual delivery of services.
He now not only focuses on building motherboards for air-conditioners and other technological ventures, but has also established himself in the construction industry.
"We have been fortunate to have been able to work on several small and big projects in three regions, namely Erongo, Hardap, and //Karas. In Keetmanshoop, we have been a part of several government buildings whether we built it ourselves, or helped renovate it," he said.
Namibia has been struggling because of Covid-19 and businessmen like Burger are no exception.
He adds that the company has suffered major losses of tenders since the start of the pandemic. Despite the trials he is facing, he wakes up every morning and pursues his dreams.
"We can barely make any arrangements for the future because none of us know when and where this pandemic will leave us. It is difficult to know that most men that worked with me are now without a job but that is, unfortunately, the nature of the economic situation currently," he says.
Building through chaos
Burger has the heart to serve the community and says that his only goal is to be able to help people around him, by creating employment and lessening the gap between rich and poor.
"Through the darkness, I still see a light at the end of this tunnel and if I could speak to my 16-year-old self, I would tell him to find a passion and he should fight through hail and fire to hold onto it and live in it. Whatever the challenges may be, fight tooth and nail to create the life you know you deserve," he says.
He is further motivated to continue growing the company by knowing that he can trust his family for their unwavering support and love. Burger credits his older sister for playing an integral part in his journey to self-discovery and success.
Hailing from the dusty streets of Maltahöhe, 43-year-old Karl Heinz Burger worked his way to the top after landing a supervisor position at a business in Windhoek at the tender age of 17.
Juggling work and school showed Burger that he can take on any challenge if he applied himself to the fullest.
"I worked very hard because I knew that if I don't do it for myself no one else will. After working part-time, I completed high school, and thereafter I did short courses until I knew what I wanted to do with my life," he says.
In 2000, Burger started a company, Irish Construction Cooling Services, that focused mainly on repairs and maintenance of computer boxes and motherboards.
He says knowing what you want makes the process to full entrepreneurship and financial independence easier.
"I had such a passion for technology and computers as a whole and thus remained in that industry. I had the background and the willingness to learn and that went hand in hand."
Burger moved to Keetmanshoop a year later and has since become a pillar of the community and popular among the people. He is known for his attention to detail and the punctual delivery of services.
He now not only focuses on building motherboards for air-conditioners and other technological ventures, but has also established himself in the construction industry.
"We have been fortunate to have been able to work on several small and big projects in three regions, namely Erongo, Hardap, and //Karas. In Keetmanshoop, we have been a part of several government buildings whether we built it ourselves, or helped renovate it," he said.
Namibia has been struggling because of Covid-19 and businessmen like Burger are no exception.
He adds that the company has suffered major losses of tenders since the start of the pandemic. Despite the trials he is facing, he wakes up every morning and pursues his dreams.
"We can barely make any arrangements for the future because none of us know when and where this pandemic will leave us. It is difficult to know that most men that worked with me are now without a job but that is, unfortunately, the nature of the economic situation currently," he says.
Building through chaos
Burger has the heart to serve the community and says that his only goal is to be able to help people around him, by creating employment and lessening the gap between rich and poor.
"Through the darkness, I still see a light at the end of this tunnel and if I could speak to my 16-year-old self, I would tell him to find a passion and he should fight through hail and fire to hold onto it and live in it. Whatever the challenges may be, fight tooth and nail to create the life you know you deserve," he says.
He is further motivated to continue growing the company by knowing that he can trust his family for their unwavering support and love. Burger credits his older sister for playing an integral part in his journey to self-discovery and success.
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