No time for sleep and hard work is the order of the day for Elago Nantana also known as Smangaliso.
Born 27 years ago in the Lubango Province in Angola to Oshiwambo parents, upon their return to Namibia his parents settled in Grootfontein where Smangaliso grew up and finished his primary and secondary education. During his younger days the always smiling and bubbly young man was named Smile and over the years evolved into Smanga and today he is known as Smangaliso. “During my school days I enjoyed playing rugby and my tall frame gave me the edge with rugby being a contact sport, and some basketball during my secondary school days.” Smangaliso finished his high school in 2003 and moved to Windhoek where he enrolled at the Polytechnic of Namibia doing land surveying. He continued and went on to study remote sensing for mapping at a university in Kenya in 2008. In the same year Smangaliso started his professional career at the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement’s Surveyor General’s office as a surveyor technician. “I worked on mapping Namibia, be it updating existing maps or new ones. I visited all the four corners of our country mapping. Our office was also responsible for aerial photos and if someone was working on a project or something where ever in Namibia, they had to contact my office in Windhoek but today we have Google map.”
Smangaliso worked at the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement till 2011 before moving to the city of Windhoek where he is employed as a land measurer currently. He does land surveying work entailing the placement of erverns, recording and updating any data on pieces of lands, zoning, ownership, roads and infrastructure. “This is my 8-5 job and during my part time I run a business called Manga Business Investment an event management company that organises and runs events from Grootfontein to Windhoek and runs the clothing label Van die Jozzi. It is also involved in printing and marketing.”
Smangaliso has forged successful partnerships with different individuals in other business ventures and explains that partnerships in business are not always easy but credits his success to his partnerships by being honest and transparent, sharing the same vision and mind drive as your partner and good communication between them.
Smangaliso in his private time has set high standards for himself following a strict routine during the week and making time for business on Saturdays and on Sundays spends his time catching up with family and going to church. “Following a strict plan not only creates discipline but builds character in realising a goal or vision one has set for him or herself.”
On the passing on of Nelson Mandela, Smangaliso shares some of his thoughts about the icon with Popya. “Mandela will forever be remembered in history for his contribution to South Africa’s independence and as South Africa’s first black president for being a selfless, forgiving and humble human being. In 1994 when a new era in South Africa’s history [ dawn] many people expected a civil war to break out but Mandela inspired reconciliation, peace and unity in a divided nation. Healing the nation’s wounds and moving South Africa into a new era.”
Smangaliso remembers a quote from Madiba “ ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” and strongly believes if today’s youth adapts this philosophy, not only will we eradicate many socials evils but have a more productive youth in any country. In a generation where many are looking to find themselves, Mandela was the ultimate role model and icon, someone who has sacrificed so much for others and a man of honour. His death is a great loss to many, not only South Africans but to Namibians, Africans and the whole world.”
“Mandela is no more but he has been a great example and it is up to us as individuals to keep his legacy alive for many more years to come, and by remembering him and what he stood for and find peace and comfort in the time of mourning and uncertainty in South Africa.”