Power of smiles

Mariselle StofbergMathias Hamurenge grew up in a village called Katjinakatji. “Growing up had its ups and downs. My village is filled with poverty but many youth believed that education is the key to success. We were taught the values of respect and responsibility through cattle herding and cultivating the fields.”Hamurenge is currently working at Pick n Pay (PnP) Grootfontein as acting store manager. “I started in pick n pay in 2014 as a trainee manager at Oshana PnP. I was appointed as assistant store manager in 2015 after completing the trainee manager programme,” he says. In 2018 Hamurenge was transferred to PnP Grootfontein as assistant store manager and in July 2019 he was appointed to act as store manager. He completed grade 12 at Rundu Senior Secondary School and later went to study a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Namibia (Unam). “The store manager position is quite challenging and exciting at the same time. I am responsible for a huge number of people who look up to me for leadership and to steer them in the right direction. I have gotten to know a lot of people and have been able to build lasting relationships with many,” he says. “As a manger you are placed in a leadership role to ensure your team is successful. “Barack Obama is one of the leaders that I look up to. A leader should be humble, a people person, know how to listen to his employees, respectful, honest, leading by example and authentic.”When Hamurenge first joined PnP, he had to prove himself. “I remember when I joined PnP there was doubt about me in many people. I was young, small and many believed I might not make it with my joyful personality. When I was called and told I was one of the top performers in the trainee manager programme for 2014 intake, it brought back self-belief and confidence in me that helped shape me into a strong person that I am today,” he says. Hamurenge is an indoors person that likes his space and is not fond of large crowds. This easy to talk to and friendly individual has the ability to rise up to any challenge he is given. Hamurenge is inspired by challenges in life. “Many people see challenges as obstacles; I see it as motivation to work even harder. I’m happy when I see people that I have helped along the way succeed in life.”

Power of smiles

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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Power of smiles

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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