Ignoring the naysayers
When it comes to making sacrifices for the sake of yielding of fruit, Indongo Indongo always rises to the occasion.
Elizabeth Joseph
National Training Authority (NTA) research and planning manager, Indongo Indongo, has taken great strides to ensure that his legacy lives on.
Indongo was born and raised at Onayena settlement in the Oshikoto Region. He is the second of 12 siblings.
“Growing up was not an easy journey, as I lost both my parents at a very young age. Growing up an orphan, there was no or limited resources to support my childhood needs.
Time passed and life happened, but in 2004 I was accepted at the University of Namibia (Unam) where I did my bachelor of science degree, majoring in statistics,” Indongo said.
His matric results were impressive and he was offered a bursary by the Sam Nujoma Foundation to do his first degree. He is a holder of a masters’ in public health and is currently studying an MBA at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
His corporate journey
His career took flight when he started working at the labour ministry in 2008 as a statistician. Over the past decade, his career has elevated rapidly, and he proudly speaks of his work for NGOs in the fields of TB, malaria and HIV/Aids. The NGOs are the Society for Family Health, CDC - Special Programmes, Project Hope and the Millennium Challenge Account.
“Under these programmes I picked up a lot of experience in project monitoring and evaluation, as a statistician these two actually go hand in hand. Now, I am working for the Namibia Training Authority as a manager of research and planning,” he said.
Doing the deed
“As a manager for research and planning, I oversee the process of evidence and intelligence-generation in the field of technical vocational education and training (TVET), as it is related to skills gaps and the shortage in different sectors.
“Basically, this involves carrying out industry-based research, engaging different stakeholders, both locally and internationally, and packaging these findings for the integration of the training packages. In addition, I oversee the work of industry skills committees (ISCs) - there 10 ISCs for different sectors of the economy - who are NTA Board Committee on Skills Development in TVET,” Indongo said.
Stones in his path
Although Indongo cannot recall a particular setback in his career thus far, he does believe that the country’s inability to grow at a rate that makes it possible for it to accommodate everyone, including trainees, has been a thorn in the side of many Namibians, including himself.
“It is sad to see so many sectors in Namibia shrinking and people losing their jobs.
“It is obvious that some of the trainees from our vocational centres will find it difficult to find meaningful employment. However, there is a bit of hope now that the government has prioritised TVET.
“We are starting to see some deliberate efforts being put into TVET - from start-ups, apprenticeships and the recognition of prior learning, as well as the general expansion of vocational centres, including the reintroduction of pre-vocational training in high school,” Indongo added.
Victories
“On accomplishments, life is a learning journey. I am young and there is still a lot that I want to accomplish. Throughout my career, I have picked up a lot of experiences in different fields and had opportunities to meet global experts.
I have been investing heavily in myself through formal education, short courses and other platforms. Young people should never stop learning. The fourth industrial revolution will see the entire landscape of skills being transformed and young people need to be ready for this!” Indongo said.
A typical day
A typical day in the office usually starts with a strong, but sweet cup of coffee. Given that every day holds its own struggles and triumphs, a day can never start without coffee, according to him.
“The Namibia Training Authority is one of the best parastatals, which is well-managed, and we are executing our mandate well. By now, all Namibians know that our president, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob, has prioritised vocational education as a catalyst for accelerating development toward industrialisation.
“So, we have specific milestones in both the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Fifth National Development Plan, with strict timelines and targets that should be met. At times, it gets really busy but I have amazing colleagues who are committed to the implementation of NTA programmes,” Indongo said.
“In our department, and in NTA in general, if a certain milestone is not achieved and there are normally good reasons why they are not achieved, we all take and share the blame. Equally when good achievements are celebrated, we all celebrate in a team spirit. It is a strategy of our CEO.”
Indongo loves and is inspired by hardworking individuals and people who always avail themselves in an instance of crisis.
Indongo’s future plans are simple: Keep calm and stay humble!
“My plan is to ensure that I do my part in the implementation of our five-year strategic plan including the TVET transformation and expansion strategy (15-year plan). I want to see vocational education transformed, accelerated and developed in rural areas in Namibia,” he said further.
During his spare time, he enjoys watching soccer and boxing. He is also active in politics and is currently serving as the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) branch secretary for the Nico Bessinger branch in the Khomasdal district.
National Training Authority (NTA) research and planning manager, Indongo Indongo, has taken great strides to ensure that his legacy lives on.
Indongo was born and raised at Onayena settlement in the Oshikoto Region. He is the second of 12 siblings.
“Growing up was not an easy journey, as I lost both my parents at a very young age. Growing up an orphan, there was no or limited resources to support my childhood needs.
Time passed and life happened, but in 2004 I was accepted at the University of Namibia (Unam) where I did my bachelor of science degree, majoring in statistics,” Indongo said.
His matric results were impressive and he was offered a bursary by the Sam Nujoma Foundation to do his first degree. He is a holder of a masters’ in public health and is currently studying an MBA at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
His corporate journey
His career took flight when he started working at the labour ministry in 2008 as a statistician. Over the past decade, his career has elevated rapidly, and he proudly speaks of his work for NGOs in the fields of TB, malaria and HIV/Aids. The NGOs are the Society for Family Health, CDC - Special Programmes, Project Hope and the Millennium Challenge Account.
“Under these programmes I picked up a lot of experience in project monitoring and evaluation, as a statistician these two actually go hand in hand. Now, I am working for the Namibia Training Authority as a manager of research and planning,” he said.
Doing the deed
“As a manager for research and planning, I oversee the process of evidence and intelligence-generation in the field of technical vocational education and training (TVET), as it is related to skills gaps and the shortage in different sectors.
“Basically, this involves carrying out industry-based research, engaging different stakeholders, both locally and internationally, and packaging these findings for the integration of the training packages. In addition, I oversee the work of industry skills committees (ISCs) - there 10 ISCs for different sectors of the economy - who are NTA Board Committee on Skills Development in TVET,” Indongo said.
Stones in his path
Although Indongo cannot recall a particular setback in his career thus far, he does believe that the country’s inability to grow at a rate that makes it possible for it to accommodate everyone, including trainees, has been a thorn in the side of many Namibians, including himself.
“It is sad to see so many sectors in Namibia shrinking and people losing their jobs.
“It is obvious that some of the trainees from our vocational centres will find it difficult to find meaningful employment. However, there is a bit of hope now that the government has prioritised TVET.
“We are starting to see some deliberate efforts being put into TVET - from start-ups, apprenticeships and the recognition of prior learning, as well as the general expansion of vocational centres, including the reintroduction of pre-vocational training in high school,” Indongo added.
Victories
“On accomplishments, life is a learning journey. I am young and there is still a lot that I want to accomplish. Throughout my career, I have picked up a lot of experiences in different fields and had opportunities to meet global experts.
I have been investing heavily in myself through formal education, short courses and other platforms. Young people should never stop learning. The fourth industrial revolution will see the entire landscape of skills being transformed and young people need to be ready for this!” Indongo said.
A typical day
A typical day in the office usually starts with a strong, but sweet cup of coffee. Given that every day holds its own struggles and triumphs, a day can never start without coffee, according to him.
“The Namibia Training Authority is one of the best parastatals, which is well-managed, and we are executing our mandate well. By now, all Namibians know that our president, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob, has prioritised vocational education as a catalyst for accelerating development toward industrialisation.
“So, we have specific milestones in both the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Fifth National Development Plan, with strict timelines and targets that should be met. At times, it gets really busy but I have amazing colleagues who are committed to the implementation of NTA programmes,” Indongo said.
“In our department, and in NTA in general, if a certain milestone is not achieved and there are normally good reasons why they are not achieved, we all take and share the blame. Equally when good achievements are celebrated, we all celebrate in a team spirit. It is a strategy of our CEO.”
Indongo loves and is inspired by hardworking individuals and people who always avail themselves in an instance of crisis.
Indongo’s future plans are simple: Keep calm and stay humble!
“My plan is to ensure that I do my part in the implementation of our five-year strategic plan including the TVET transformation and expansion strategy (15-year plan). I want to see vocational education transformed, accelerated and developed in rural areas in Namibia,” he said further.
During his spare time, he enjoys watching soccer and boxing. He is also active in politics and is currently serving as the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) branch secretary for the Nico Bessinger branch in the Khomasdal district.
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