Making way for women in STEM

Jeanette Diergaardt Albertina Anderson, Aviation Meteorologist“We predict the weather and potentially save lives.”Albertina Anderson has been in the industry for over 12 years. With a keen interest in science and her head up in the clouds, Anderson has paved her way in the industry to be of service to the Namibian nation.Her journey started in 2000, working as a meteorological observer, which she obtained a certificate in. Her tasks included observing and recording weather conditions used in weather forecasting. She had to observe the visibility conditions and read weather instruments like barometers and hygrometers. Anderson worked as a meteorological observer for twelve years. At the same time the weather guru underwent training in Nairobi Kenya to be a better weather presenter. The training included weather presentation and weather production. After successfully completing her training, she became one of the faces on national TV presenting the news to the public.The powerhouse never gave up learning and studying and in 2006 to 2010 she completed her studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Her studies were sponsored by the Namibian government and by the World Meteorological Organisation.Upon her return to Namibia, Anderson was appointed as meteorologist at the Windhoek meteorological office. Learning more does not stop after a degree but continues. Anderson continued her education by attending forums and workshops to remain up to date with what is happening in the world of climatology. Anderson used to forecast the weather and liaise with the media and the public but now she is solely focused on aviation meteorology. As an aviation meteorologist, she analyses weather patterns and shares this data with airline flight dispatchers and pilots. Her work is dependent on computer programmes called weather models. Seeing that data cannot be collected in the future, meteorologists rely on weather models to forecast what the weather is likely to be. The further into the future the weather is predicted, the more unreliable the data becomes.With all the training Anerson underwent she wants to open the world of science and meteorology to young girls and pave the way for them in STEM careers.jeanette@myzone.com.na

Making way for women in STEM

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-16

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Making way for women in STEM

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-16

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