People are flooding into Ndeshi Hambeleleni Junias’ driving school for lessons in order to obtain driver’s licences.
She could not be more pleased, telling Youth Corner some people had told her she would not get clients because she is a woman, as women apparently do not know how to drive.
The 26-year-old is also a qualified nail technician, but in view of slow business in the industry, she decided to institute a driving school for people in Ongwediva and Oshakati.
“Since I’m a licence holder, I got an idea of challenging myself by saving up and buying a vehicle for a driving school business,” said Junias, who is also the driving instructor.
The school became operational in January 2021 and people are coming in large numbers, which really shows that driving classes are in high demand, she added.
Junias’ aim is to teach people how to drive well, impart the importance of obeying traffic regulations and road instructions, and ultimately to avoid accidents.
Initially, she faced minor obstacles from the community such as criticism, discouragement and negative gender-related stereotypes, citing one rude remark from a passer-by that “it’s irrational for a man to get driving lessons from a lady.”
As time passes, Junias intends to expand her business and create job opportunities for her fellow young women to eliminate the imposter syndrome that women cannot excel in industries of this
kind.
The energetic young woman describes herself as a go-getter – an attribute, she said, gives her the guts to raise the youth’s spirit to push forward with whatever is in their possession.
“I am encouraging people to follow their dreams and not to listen to outsiders’ critics. I also encourage women to take up space in any trade opportunities. There will always be challenges. So, soldiering on is the only option, because success does not come on a silver platter,” she concluded.
Junias charges N$120 per hour. She is based in Oshakati and can be reached on Instagram: Ndeshi_ driving academy.