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Madume reflects on a decade of growth

Iréne-Mari van der Walt



Axel Madume started his journey with the Swakopmund municipality 10 years ago as a street cleaner before working as a truck operator and eventually taking his place as a sewerage plant assistant.

“I am grateful to render a service to the community of Swakopmund. I think it is something that is often overlooked and it may sound small, but somebody needs to do it,” Madume, who grew up in Swakopmund, said.

He believes his job is far more multifaceted than it appears.

“I help as a safety representative in ensuring that my colleagues stay safe and I am a peer educator and I am pleased with what I am doing,” he said.

He believes that passion is integral in anything any individual takes on.

“I think people should find something they enjoy and impress where they need to impress,” he said

To him, a dedicated team could make or break an entire operation.

“Everybody from management to the lowest level is needed. I think I would like to encourage everyone to do their part and not be spectators but to actively be involved with their team and the work that their team does,” he said.

A healthy body allows for proper dedication to one’s work, according to Madume.

“I start with my body first. When my body is healthy, I can do better work so I need to take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally to be able to give my best,” he said.

Despite the big strides Madume has taken in his career thus far and the growth he has experienced in the past decade, he hopes to grow even more in the future.

“In the future I would like to be a team leader. I think being a team leader will require commitment and hard work as well as focus but I think I could lead a team very well,” he said.