Real Stories (Inspiration)
Nelson Ashipala
Dec
Age: 33 • Senior Communications Specialist • Namibia Statistics Agency
“I believe in life and destiny.”
Nelson Ashipala believes in living a life filled with adventure, passion, and experimentation. A Senior Communications Specialist at the Namibia Statistics Agency, he has also taken up farming as a side hustle, employing a team of 20 people. He believes in playing an active role in contributing to nation building. Read more about how this young leader manages a thriving career, a business, and his extreme adventures below.
1. What are some of the highs and lows you have encountered in your career up to this point?
Every person experiences highs and lows, and I think the real effort lies in how we overcome these stages in life. My biggest low was immediately after graduating from university. It felt like a huge blow to be unemployed after earning a degree. My biggest high was definitely getting that dream job.
2. Climbing the corporate ladder requires hard work. What has contributed to your career growth?
Perseverance and planning. I don’t believe we’re on this earth to simply exist—we’re here to add value. I drew out my career path and set SMART goals. Even now, I feel there’s still much more I can achieve. I believe in life and destiny.
3. What in your view contributes to stagnated career growth and what changes can help achieve career success?
Lack of passion and drive. When someone is passionate about their work, they push themselves to learn and grow. These are key factors for career development. Never sell yourself short—if you feel you’re not doing what you love, you may be in the wrong profession.
4. Many millennials in corporate jobs feel they’re not making an impact, which leads them to quit or return to school. What should companies do to keep millennials passionate and engaged?
Corporates need to learn to trust the youth. Often, age bias leads to a lack of trust, but we can all learn from what we don’t know. Many new-age successes—especially in tech and design—are driven by millennials. It’s our time. That said, I also support the move to private business—I’m headed that way too.
5. Job security is crucial in Africa. You own a farm that employs 20 people—congratulations! How did you get into farming, and how do you manage both jobs?
Farming has always been a passion. Growing up, my mother praised how my trees grew and produced sweet mangoes. When the opportunity arose, I took it. It wasn’t easy and involved risks, but with a strong team, the journey began. It’s fulfilling to know we’re contributing to national development.
6. What self-talk do you give before a big presentation or interview?
I say a short prayer for strength, then remind myself: I didn’t come this far to fail.
7. Maintaining a healthy body and mind is key to avoiding burnout. How do you stay balanced while managing your job and side hustle?
I’m an adrenaline junkie. I love anything intense and recently took up extreme skydiving. I aim to go as deep below the earth’s surface and as high above the sky as possible. I’m a globe trotter, passionate about meeting people, learning new cultures, and embracing the world’s beauty. I’m also completing my final scuba diving master class. My goal is to dive around the world, setting time records along the way.
Most importantly, I’m very religious. I make time to pray and reflect on how far God has brought me and the strength He’s given me to endure life’s challenges.
8. What is one thing you believe that others might think is crazy, and why?
That you can just wake up and decide to become whatever you want. I’ve suddenly decided I want to become a helicopter pilot—and that’s my plan for next year.