Mistress of her own destiny

On December 15, 1985, born to parents Kristi Nampa Dumeni and Arthur Mathias at Oniipa in Ondangwa, Daisry Ndeshihala Mathias, came into the world. In 1992, she relocated to Windhoek with her parents to start primary school at the Holy Cross Convent. Daisry describes herself at school as a reserved, yet confident, student. “I would dream and then sit for hours planning meticulously how to make it happen. I would write lists for everything I needed to get done and set deadlines and then follow through. Nothing gave me greater satisfaction than crossing things off my to-do list and then starting the process over. Every completed item boosted my confidence and affirmed that I was making progress”, she reminisced. From a young age, one can clearly attest that the young dreamer maintained her focus and is realising her dreams. Her middle name, which directly translates to ‘I want it’, says it all. After completing primary education, she went on to St. Paul’s College in Windhoek for secondary education and described her academic performance as average. “Although I was not a poor learner, I was not an academic overachiever at high school either. I make special mention of this to highlight that there are many definitions for success and leadership.” Varsity From St Paul’s College, Daisry secured a scholarship for her undergraduate studies at the renowned AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2007, she graduated with a National Diploma in Integrated Marketing Communications, with specialisation in Brand Management. Like any student at university, Daisry was not happy with how financial needs never balanced with resources. “I was really tired of being broke during my student life and that frustration compelled me to look for a job.” Confident, Daisry went on an unrelenting job search while studying full time. She recalls walking long distances to attend recruitment interviews at agencies located in lofty suburbs. She eventually got a placement as a receptionist at a prominent advertising agency. She excelled and was eventually promoted to executive assistant to the managing director of that agency. “When I graduated, I rewarded myself with a self-paid trip to the UK, from savings accumulated from this particular job. It was my first time off the continent.” Daisry also holds an Honours degree in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. As her thirst for education remains unquenched though, she is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at the Gordon Institute for Business Science in Johannesburg. Prior to her June appointment as Presidential Advisor, she was also a part-time Marketing and Consumer Behaviour lecturer at the Polytechnic of Namibia and Editor of the Namibia Business Journal. Apart from her academic life, what you might not know is the young and visionary advisor’s love for fitness and sport. “I enjoy sports and remain an exercise enthusiast. At school I debated and participated in athletics and eventually played soccer for my varsity team (striker). Now I try to participate in long distance marathon running, when I can.” Work Experience Daisry’s academic achievements are on par with her work experience, leaving no further questions from the calibre of positions she has held. Between 2006 and 2012, Daisry was Account Manager (Client Service) at Y&R Advertising Agency. The following year, she joined First National Bank as Marketing Officer for Digital and Self Help Channels. It was not long until goal-driven Daisry was appointed to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Manager for Marketing and Public Relations. A position she held until her June 2014 appointment to Team Namibia, where she became one of the youngest Chief Executive Officers in the country to serve a national organisation, leading the brand. She held this position until her equally unprecedented appointment to the presidential A-Team. “Businesses and specifically marketers, have the unique responsibility to meet needs and add value to life, by innovating solutions to enhance life and creating jobs. My vision has always been and remains to add value to the lives of others and by so doing, to my country Namibia. I have a perpetual desire to realise and maximise potential. I have this same passion and desire for others; to leave things better and people more enriched. Imagine how formidable a nation we will be with all of us flexing our strongest muscle?” an A-Team ‘striker’ for the youth Now in office to advise the President on pertinent issues pertaining to youth and SME development, Daisry has tailored her vision aligned to that of the president, which is; for every youth living in the Namibian house to have their basic needs catered for. Secondly - for every youth to have access to the opportunities that will enable him or her to transcend their socio-economic boundaries. “I have come to learn through consultation that limited access to information, limited access to resources and financial instruments and limited access to markets are all barriers that are undermining optimal youth participation in the economic mainstream.” She is aware that successful youth strategies require genuine and meaningful opportunities to work with one another and with policymakers to impact the issues of importance. For Daisry, the timing is opportune for the subject of Youth and Enterprise Development, as the Fourth National Development Plan draws towards its end in 2017. With authority and to clear all doubts, she states, “As your representative in the presidency and together with the assigned line ministries, we will take an inclusive and consultative approach, creating real opportunities for youth to engage and take ownership of parts of the process, so that we can envision a joint aspiration for Namibian youth development, which will direct policy, planning, resource allocation and implementation.” in the meantime While we wait for our competent advisor to make her contribution towards the betterment of youth in Namibia, she has the following last words of advice: “Make the most of every opportunity to develop yourself and use it is as preparatory training ground to sharpen your skills, so that when a promotion opportunity does arise, you are ready and able to deliver.” FIKAMENI MATHIAS