Born in Ondangwa, and bred Windhoek, Selma Kaulinge is a determined young lady.
A Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), Kaulinge has six siblings and started her schooling with People Primary School, then went on to the Holy Cross Convent and eventually the Ella du Plessis High School. Growing up, Kaulinge was highly introvert and always wanted to be more economically independent. Kaulinge did her internship at the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, and worked as a journalist for the Villager as well as The Namibian. She also worked as a journalist/columnist for the Namibian Sun. “I was working and studying at the same time, so there was not always a lot of time. I don’t remember how much I earned, but it was not that much. However, I made the best of it and it helped me buy books and other materials I needed for school,” reflects Kaulinge.
She has a degree in Media Studies, Public Relations and Art for Advertising which she obtained at from University of Namibia (Unam). She termes a day in the life of a PRO as one filled with creating, collecting and distributing information to relevant parties. She adds that a PRO has a wide range of duties, from writing to organising events to giving people information about one’s company and is also responsible for the image of the company, what information goes out of the company and how the public perceive the company. “My biggest challenge as a PRO of an art gallery in Namibia is that many Namibians do not understand art, and so therefore are not very interested in the sector. Part of my job is to change and to get more people talking about art in Namibia, and therefore interested. The best part of being in PR is that you get to meet new people all the time,” she enthuses.
Kaulinge adds that to pursue a career in this field one academically need a degree or diploma in PR or Communications. “As a person you should be confident, well spoken and well informed. You also need to be able relate to different types of people and be approachable,” says Kaulinge. Kaulinge further informs that she keeps a positive attitude all the time and that’s why it’s very hard to break her down. Her son, Damian, keeps her going as well her friends and family who motivate her every day. She encourage the youth to always follow their dreams. “You only live once, so follow your dreams and don’t let anybody tell you that what you want to achieve is impossible.”
By Selma Neshiko