Paheja Siririka
As much as he loves talking about sport, specifically football, on various platforms, Isack Tuyenikuye Hamata says he is the wariest extrovert and introvert one will ever find.
“I am a very shy person. Some say I am an extroverted introvert. I take time to get used to people,” he shared with VIBEZ!
Hamata is an experienced communications professional with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. He is a skilled negotiator, has strong analytical skills, does coaching, advertising and event management. Hamata is also a notable veteran journalist.
He currently works for a local bank, doing communication and marketing.
EARLY LIFE
The married father of three children was born 49 years ago in the harbour town of Lüderitz, and growing up, career options were limited.
“It was either fisherman, a Consolidated Diamond Mines tate (father) or a teacher. But as I got exposed to more options, I thought law would suit me better.
When I finished Grade 12, I could not study law because it was not offered in Namibia at the time, and even if it was, I would not be in a financial position to study and pursue a career in the legal field. But an alternative career would have been law.”
EDUCATION
Hamata has a Master’s degree in Communication, another Master’s of Science in Business Management, honours in marketing, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies, Bachelor of Technology in Public Management and National Diploma in Public Administration.
“I am in public relations and communications. I straddled between journalism and public relations. My first job was as a reporter. Straight after school, I was hunting for any kind of job.”
He said his grandmother retired when he finished school, and could not financially take care of him any longer. It was now his turn to look after her, so he looked for any kind of job.
“By God’s grace, I landed a job as a reporter six months after finishing school. I worked for two years before I undertook tertiary studies at the then Technikon Namibia, which later became Polytechnic of Namibia, and now NUST.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ISACK
“My days are never the same; very busy, but always different things to do.
The [bank] job takes care of internal and external communications, and the environment is very fast-paced. I work with people across various departments. It allows me to learn more about the business and them as individuals.”
Hamata says he mostly spends time with his family.
“I have many categories of families, biological and non-biological.
I prefer to call them my family rather than friends or something else. I also enjoy a stroll around town, just to soak in some fresh air and to let my mind wander wildly.”
He said boredom is not part of his vocabulary, as there is always something to do, which includes a lot of reading, watching sports (mainly football) and documentaries on television.
“I hardly get bored. You must always find something useful to do. At the very least, read!” The family-oriented Hamata unapologetically emphasised that his life revolves around his family - the first people he sees in the morning, and the last to see before he goes to bed.
“After a long exhausting day, the first thing is to see if the family is fine. I discuss with the boys about their day at school, and help with school work.
I attend to my wife, and we then discuss our experiences of the day. We exchange best practices to be able to overcome the challenges of the next day, or reinforce the good things that have happened the day before.”
FAVOURITE DRINK AND MEAL
Hamata says he is a simple man, and prefers sparkling water and coffee.
His favourite meal would be anything with free-range chicken. “In Lüderitz, it used to be called ‘Warmsand’ chicken; they now refer to it as ‘marathon chicken’. And how I wish I could prepare it.
The only thing I can cook is water. Luckily, I have a wife who does a prim and proper job in the kitchen.”
THE HAMATA PROVERB
“Draw inspiration from others, but create your footsteps.
To walk in my footsteps means you must be born in the conditions in which I was born, you must go through the hardships that I went through.
Do not give up on your dreams. They are valid, and however long they may take to realise, you must not give up. The world is full of examples of people who took longer than others to achieve success.”