2006-05-02Staff Report 2 "By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Three years since its establishment, Junior Achievement Namibia (JAN) last Friday announced its three laureates selected for induction into the Namibian Hall of Fame 2006. Members of the Namibian Business Hall of Fame serve as inspiring examples for all young Namibians and make enduring contributions to the economic development and prosperity of the country as a whole. At a gala dinner held in the capital, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN) Tom Alweendo was nominated the Corporate Persona leveraging his competency and strategic vision in the financial industry. Based on the qualifying criteria, the President of the Namibia Economic Society (NES) Mihe Gaomab II said, Alweendo's involvement with the youth is indicative of corporate social investment in the areas of education and community relationships. The Governor advocates on youth development and represents a role model for a black corporate executive striving for excellence in the country. ""A positive attitude, the attitude 'I can do it' will help us achieve what some may imagine impossible to achie-ve. We are all born with talents and we need to create enabling environments within which all of us can freely exercise our minds,"" said Alweendo. Gwen Lister's ability to bring across information and communicating the essence of what confronts the Namibian citizens resulted in her name being lifted high in the Business Hall of Fame as Communicator par Excellence 2006. The Namibian newspaper editor Gwen Lister's professional record, according to Gaomab II, has shown that she exudes self-confidence, perseverance and courage. These qualities must be instilled in young entrepreneurs in the country. Though mostly perceived as a political animal by some members of society, to the youths Lister advised that it is important to follow one's dream. She strongly emphasized the need to be strongly ethical and transparent at all levels. As the country continues to encourage young people to involve themselves in entrepreneurial activities to reduce unemployment, Martha Na-mundjebo Tilahun received recognition as the Innovative Entrepreneur. Coming from a previously disadvantaged community, she has taken informed risks to fulfill her goal in the commercial environment. Through her ability to create innovative products and services that generate a great deal of money, she has assisted in harnessing youth entrepreneurship in the country. Discipline, dedication and courage were the words she direct-ed towards young Namibian entrepreneurs. Lifting the recipients for the night, African Leadership Specialist Joseph Diescho stated there is a need to raise entrepreneurship, role models, and leadership in society. Unfortunately, Namibia currently lacks role models and most people have become what he termed ""victims of pornographic power"". The country has managers who administrate, control, do things right and copy while on the other side Namibia lacks leaders who can innovate, inspire and do right things. He added, it is necessary to imbue in young people the spirit that will give them integrity. Junior Achievement Na-mibia is a nationwide non-governmental organization offering experimental business and related life skill programs and business development assistance to young people. Its vision is to be a leading contributor towards the attainment of an economically self-sufficient society." 2006-05-02Staff Report 2
