Martha Kautanevali is a Civil Engineer by profession with a certification in Project Management. She founded the Queenshono Mentorship program and Co-founded – Women in Business Network – providing a casual atmosphere for business and corporate women to engage, support and encourage each other. We caught up with her, shortly after being crowned the 2nd Runner Up in the Miss Namibia competition.
Can you briefly tell us where you hail from?
I hail from a loving village called Ohamwaala-Edundja in the Ohangwena region.
You studied civil engineering at the University of Namibia. You combined it with Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. How did that come about? Was engineering always something you wanted to pursue?
Very interesting question. Apart from the fact that Project Management Professional (PMP) is a global standard certification that delivers real value in the form of professional credibility, it sharpens one’s deep knowledge and increases earning potential. It all started with Mondjila Project Advisory – a local firm in Namibia.
I visited their offices and some active projects around the city. They inspired me with their level of dedication, credibility, and professionalism. So, I thought the certification would set me apart and prepare me for growth as well as career advancement going forward.
Back to engineering, growing up I always wanted to do Geology because of a lady who visited my high school one time. However, my aunt changed my application from Geology to Engineering. Destiny helper maybe? I would say so because in engineering lies my passion and all that I aspire to be. She knew better so she did better.
Is there anything in your upbringing that had a major influence in the course that you pursued?
Not much, I had no engineer role model, and I was the first engineer in my family. Besides, I have always liked structures but that wasn’t advanced because I was not exposed that much. Mind you, I grew up at the village, so I was limited.
How was your career choice received by your family?
My family believed in me from the get-go. They were very supportive of my career choice that I got to love as time went by. I believe it was easier for them to trust me because growing up I had always been a top performer and all they had to do was encourage me and make sure that I had the little I needed to carry me through university.
What challenges, if any, do you encounter as a young female engineer?
When I started my career after school, I had a number of opportunities to advance my experience, but it was not a very good time (it was Covid-19 season) and projects were fading day by day and services also started closing, confining us indoors. Being a female in this field, I have experienced a time where we needed to work three times harder than our male counterparts in order to get recognized. This has shown me that we still need more women in engineering and i am doing this by influencing the uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in our schools.
If a young girl came to you today and said she wants to study engineering, what would you tell her?
I would tell her to follow her dream of becoming an engineer because I saw how engineering shifted my mind, attitude, and overall perception of life in general. It is inspirational because I am unstoppable, purposeful, driven and inspired by life. I didn’t buy these attributes, I acquired them from the exposure as well as the course. I am sure you will notice one or two of these attributes in an engineer you know. It is now my responsibility to influence the uptake of engineering studies especially amongst young girls because our survival has proven to be sustainable and adaptable.
You’ve also done a course in project management. Which notable projects were you involved in?
I worked mostly on the residential properties part of things. The major one was for a construction firm that constructed a part of Ongos Valley Development – one of the biggest developments in Windhoek.
What informed your decision to take an exam with the Namibia Estates Agency Board?
Fun fact about me; In as much as I am a ‘princess,’ I am also a hustler and I make sure I work my way up to secure my bag and future in all ways possible. I believe in “hard work pays off” as well as personal development. I did this course to propel me to my main goal of property development. All my life I have been strategically locating myself ready for the main thing and I know I am a few steps closer. Keeping the main thing the main.
How do you combine your qualifications of being an engineer, who does project management with being a real estate agent?
God has been very intentional all my life and has given me the best chance to cease all the opportunities life has presented to me. I like calling it Divine Order. All these courses are done in such a way that they lead me to the main thing which is property development. I don’t believe in living by chance, and I do not let life to happen to me, I create it on purpose and hence making it happen for me. So, as a Civil Engineer, I can use my technical expertise to lead and manage the projects from construction level to selling them with the property’s studies expertise.
Can you share your experience in the USA under the auspices of the STEM Spotlight (courtesy of Nyla Denae Enterprise, USA).
A STEMsation is a trailblazer in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths with phenomenal abilities to skyrocket to their highest potential while simultaneously breaking stereotypes and gender barriers with style and grace. This award was an appreciation for my time and contribution towards inspiring future STEMs.
How were you able to plough back that knowledge?
It was through this award I managed to start the mentorship program (initially aimed at supporting STEM students in 1st/2nd year of tertiary education). It all started with the power of sharing my story and believing that it inspired others to accomplish their goals, persevere over any obstacles, and strive for excellence. I still hope that me expressing myself and sharing my story on platforms like this, I get to be an excellent role model for young ladies out there to aspire to become trailblazers in their own rights. In my personal capacity I visit schools to create awareness regarding engineering and all other related careers while sharing my story because if anything—- There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of ourselves. I have also collaborated with different organizations to ease the exercises because together we can impact a bigger group. My goal is to work with Debmarine Foundation, STEM Namibia lead by the Namibian 1MillionGirlsinSTEM ambassador (one of my mentors), NAMWIE (Namibian Women in Engineering) and other organizations sharing the same interests.
In 2021 you were part of YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative) and Katuka Mentorship Program alumni. Can you please share what these programmes were all about?
I mentioned personal development a lot, these platforms molded me into the person I am today. YALI is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. It aided in developing my skills by providing core training in contemporary African issues as well as specialized training in Business and Entrepreneurship (other training options are Civic leadership and Public Management). I completed my YALI in 2021 April, but because of my consistency and continuous contribution I was appointed on the panel of Applications Reviewers since 2022 which boosted my need for involvement in the program and many other programs.
The Katuka Mentorship Programme on the other hand, has been designed to facilitate career development of younger women by exposing them to the experience of individuals with established careers. I am still in contact with my Katuka mentor, which is the reason why I will always push for the: “Mentorship unites us.” narrative because of what it has done for me, the opportunities this kind of relationships has brought into my life.
You Founded Queenshono Mentorship program – mentoring STEAM students in the University entry level. Can you shed more light on this program?
I long believed and realized that my core purpose lies with volunteerism, mentorship and community development. I started this program to assist young girls coming to university for the first time (1st and 2nd years) especially the ones from remote areas, the aim is to help them maneuver around university life. This I have lived, and it was not a walk in a park (coming from a village to the city campus wasn’t an easy transition, so I want to be the role model I never had when I was younger). I have about 5 fellow young professionals (exemplary young individuals who are doing so many impactful moves in their own lives and community in general) who are voluntarily helping me support these students by providing support, motivation, guidance, and encouragement; each to one or two students depending on what they can handle. With the little resources we have (this is also the part where I ask the Namibians to support this cause in anyway possible), we take our mentees (students) out to schools to inspire the learners by sharing their stories and experiences, that way we are also boosting their confidence and people skills.
What has the response been so far?
I have realized that there is a huge gap between what we can accommodate as a group of volunteers and the overall demand for mentorship. The program has a positive impact on feelings of empowerment, improve confidence, and creating meaningful connections. I have seen my mentees grow into magical young individuals who are motivated to chase after their dreams and achieving high grades in their academics.
You Co-founded – Women in Business Network. What does that entail?
We formed this network as a platform where businesswomen, corporates and upcoming young professionals meet in a casual set up to encourage, support and grow one another with the goal of forming professional relationships and role modeling. When women unite, the whole world is blessed by their light. We believe in sisterhoods, so we host women events in all corners of the country because the goal is to form a strong chain of strong women to inspire, encourage and support one another. We strive to empower our women, so the speakers are randomly picked, and we set up engagement sessions where we allow them to express themselves with words of encouragement, advise or support.
Many Namibians are now coming to know you as the 2nd Runner Up and Public Choice: Miss Namibia 2023. How did you get involved in modeling?
As a hobby and passion for change, one of my hobbies is modeling. I always knew I never wanted to be an ordinary citizen, ordinary is usually boring and I knew I had a purpose bigger than myself. It however needed to be awakened through sharing my story and presenting myself on platforms that allowed me to be seen. I took my first Miss Namibia shot in 2021 but I did not place (only ended in top 30). Then I came back this year 2023 where I won 2nd Runner Up and Public Choice. I am so humbled by the love and support I have received during my journey to these awards, and I will forever be grateful for my people. They made me and I will sure carry them in my year of reign. So, all I will be doing will be people centered because this is the trust, they have put in me to represent them and push for livelihoods improvement.
How has experience been this far. Would you encourage other women to pursue modeling?
Since the beginning of the pageant, my mind was on the journey and the experience that we were to embark on. We were treated like the queens; travelled to some parts of the country (Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop etc.) for the first time and that was exceptional for me. Through the journey I have experienced the hidden beauty of Namibia and got to appreciate it so much that I can proudly tell the world that yes, I am Namibian, and we have a the 2nd largest Canyon- the Fish River Canyon etc. The special bonds I have built with my fellow contestants has also been lifechanging. The engagements of the community has expanded my outlook on life while constantly seeking for sustainable solutions to the current life challenges especially the ones facing the youth.
I would recommend young, passionate, and purposeful women out there to pursue pageantry with the goal of impacting lives and being a beauty with a charitable cause because it is more than the crown. This journey affords you a lifetime experience and personal growth that no one can ever take away from you. Your life attitude, your presentation, your tolerance, your appearance, your associations, platforms, opportunities, and style all change for the better (at least mine has).
What do you want to do during your year as 2nd Runner Up in Miss Namibia?
I joined Miss Namibia because of thier motto that aligned perfectly with my goals and values: Beauty with a charitable cause. My goal here is to actualize the true potentials of the youth through my mentorship program and community development. With the platform of Miss Namibia, I can reach a bigger audience and form more collaborations to best improve the livelihoods of the Namibians. Alone I can do little but together we can do so much.
Since most youth problems today are wrapped around lack of support, motivation, and encouragement among the less privileged youth (who are also academically challenged for the most part); the main part of my mentorship this year is to reach the academically challenged youth because diversity is truly a fact in this case, but inclusivity is a choice I had to make. I am working with local authorities and private organizations to come up youth involvement activities, engagements, and different platforms to allow the youth to express themselves in terms of suitable and sustainable solutions to the current problems. My mentorship program is also launching an online platform where i will be having talks and engagements with the youth all over Namibia and that way we become more inclusive and reaching a bigger audience.
Being involved in the community as a volunteer, mentor and agent of change makes me come alive.
