Hailing all the way from Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region, Sophia ‘Namasiku’ Nikanor is a single mother of three who went through a lot of hardships to get where she is today.
Namasiku has eight siblings and attended the Ngweze Primary School and later completed high school at Kizito College in Katima Mulilo. As a teenager, she was very hard working and enjoyed doing house chores. “I grew up with a strict father. I was a very active child and I always made an effort to earn extra money at a very tender age of 10. When dad gave us pocket money I would go buy sweets to resell to my siblings and my dad didn’t like that but I was very much interested in doing business,” says Namasiku.
After passing Grade 12, she moved to the capital to pursue her studies. She enrolled at KMT Commercial College for a secretarial diploma. At the age of 19 Namasiku became an orphan and her situation forced her to view life differently Thus she decide to look for a job to make a living and at the same time go to school. “My children and family kept me going. I work hard to ensure that they have a good education. When I look back [from] where I come from I’m inspired that I can do much better,” she determines.
She found employment as a Receptionist with a company called ‘City Funeral’ and later moved to the Ministry of Health as an executive assistant to a Programme Manager for the Namibia Integrated Health Programme (NIHP). She also worked at the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (MRLGHR) as a Private Secretary to a director, a Receptionist at Zambezi Shell Garage and a Personal Assistant with Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal.
Six months after leaving the SADC Tribunal, Namasiku opened up her own business in Windhoek West where she sells ice cream machines and currently employed one person. “I always thought of having a business and take minutes in my free days since the ice cream sales are seasonal. I successfully own a vehicle and house which I maintained from my little earnings from my business and I’m happy that I can support my children with my earnings,” she says.
Namasiku is a degree holder in office Management, holds various administrative certificates and she has over 12 years practical experience in both the public and private sectors. She also take minutes during meetings and produce reports at the end of proceedings on request by any organisation or company. Namasiku says she hates being lazy and always wants to work. She plans pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration and concentrate on growing her business. “I want to own my big factory to manufacture this ice cream machines right here in Namibia, so that I can create jobs. I also want to see myself running a successful factory in the future. I want to travel the world and expand my knowledge of experience,” Namasiku. She urges the youth to stay focus and not to let their backgrounds determine their future.
“It doesn’t mean if you come from a poor family you cannot be a better person. Be creative, don’t think having a job will make it easier, working hard is important in life. Stay focused on your dream, believe that anything is possible, start your own business and become an employer in your own country. Go out there and see what others are doing and learn from them. Alcohol abuse and drugs add no life at all,” she motivates.