Cultivate a lifestyle of service

Gabby Tjiroze
Octavia Tsibes



Namibia is not number one when it comes to customer service, but through a changed lifestyle and a changed mindset, we can become the best. says Dewet Botes.

“Customer service is not something you do in your working hours it is something you live ny 24/7. Stop doing service; start living it.” Botes, says.

Dewet was born in Windhoek, he grew up in a small northern town, called Tsumeb. Dewet has more than 20 years of experience in service delivery in an IT environment for more than 8 years’ experience as trainer.

He is a final-year Bachelor’s degree of Theology student through the South African Theological Seminary. He is an EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker and an associate member of the Professional Speakers Association of Namibia (PSAN).

“A Lifestyle of Service” is a book with two golden threads. The first thread will help companies grow revenue. “I do not see myself as a business expert, but I see myself as an expert in one field of business that has the highest revenue generating potential. The aim is to help you grow your customer base which in turn will grow your revenue,” Dewet adds.

Dewet further says that the second golden thread is making the world a better place. Serving customers is not just a money spinner. It has the potential to make a difference in people’s lives. Yes you need to get paid for the service you offer to others. That is what business is all about, but the principles in this book have the potential, when applied, to change people’s lives.



In April this year, Dewet attended a conference of the Professional Speakers Association of Namibia, called "The Authentic Stage". At this conference Dewet heard talks from many of the best international speakers out there. All the topics focused on public speaking and specifically about being authentic when you're on stage. The proverbial Practice what you preach. “ What triggered me though was what Sigi Lange (current PSAN president) and Gustav Gous (previous PSAN persident) said. Gustav made me realise that I too have a story to tell, which we all do. I have more than 20 year’s of experience in the service delivery industry. Of course I have a story to tell. Sigi told me to "tame that wild horse" and just go for it,”

Dewet further says that sometimes the fact that you don't have the experience, counts in your favour. “After the conference in April I started formulating some ideas and on one July sold my first printed copy. Nobody told me how long it should actually take. Only afterwards I was told even for a 90-pager it was quite quick,” he adds.



One of the challenges Dewet experienced was doubt.

“I believe Namibia has a lot of work to do in that area. There are two pillars to this. I believe Namibia can turn around customer service firstly on a company level. This has to start with the employer / manager. The book is not a step-by-step how-to guide, but it contains principles that could potentially, when applied, grow your customer base. More customers mean more revenue,” he says.

Dewet also believes that the different communities in the nation can make Namibia a better place through serving one another outside the workplace. That main aim of the the book “Living a lifestyle of service” is to grow revenue and living a lifestyle of service to make the word a better place.

The highlight of writing his own book was the feeling of holding that first copy in his hand. It gave a sense of great accomplishment.