Kabajani blossoms at GIPF

Octavia Tsibes
Michelline Nawatises



Annette Likeleli Kabajani is a holder of a bachelor’s degree from the University of Namibia (Unam).

She has also attained several management and financial certificates, as well as ones in customer care.

Kabajani is the head of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) regional office at Katima Mulilo, where she is responsible for implementing branch operational systems and procedures, developing strategies and action plans, facilitating regional budgets, conducting workshops with members and stakeholders, processing claims, verifications, tracing beneficiaries, counselling on pension matters and conducting general administration.

Kabajani started working at GIPF on 1 November 1999. She is currently pursuing a masters’ in administration.

The highlight for her so far is the exposure she has received to the financial world.

“I got exposed to the pension industry and that in itself taught me a lot, hence I am working for one of the largest companies, not only in my country, but the world at large,” she said.

Kabajani added GIPF has opened up her way of reasoning when it comes to, for example, investments and financial management, and understanding human beings and their different cultures and backgrounds.

One of the challenges she faces in her work is the misuse of beneficiaries’ benefits by their guardians.

“Some guardians take advantage of the beneficiaries’ monies and this results in unfavourable living conditions for our members,” she said.

She said each and every colleague in her department is unique in their own way.

Kabajani described herself as humble, not easily intimidated and slow to anger.

She is inspired by people who work hard to put food on their tables through their own sweat, as well as people who have genuine hearts and those who go the extra mile to assist people without judging them.

She said young people should learn to structure their lives as soon as possible.

“Do not wait until you are too old to start making changes and an impact on society,” she said.

She plans to stay at GIPF for the next few years, and then do something else.

“I have set myself some challenges and goals, which I intend to work towards with vigour and hard work,” an ambitious Kabajani said.

In her spare time, she is a part-time farmer. She farms with cattle, chickens, maize and vegetables. She is also a businesswoman.