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One giant leap to success

Octavia Tsibes

Catherine Shipushu, founder of Azania Communications that was established a few years ago.

Azania Communications is an integrated marketing communications boutique agency specialising in branding, design, strategic communication and events management. “I recently introduced a brand coaching service specifically to work with individuals who would like to strategically position themselves in order to attract the right opportunities, advance their careers or grow their businesses,” Shipushu.

“I prefer to work with small business owners and individuals and help them to build strong, reliable brands that stand out for the right reasons. I believe that what sets Azania Communications apart is our proven expertise in public relations, brand management, media relations and event management, as well being driven by achieving measurable results for our clients,” she says.

Shipushu was born in Oshakati and grew up in Ongwediva. She did her schooling at Hashiyana Combined School and then matriculated from Gabriel Taapopi Senior Secondary School.

After high school, she left for South Africa to pursue her studies at Pretoria Technikon that is now known as Tshwane University of Technology where she attained a national diploma in public management.

“I also hold an honours degree in journalism and communication technology from Namibia University of Science Technology (NUST) and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Regenesys Business School,” Shipushu said.

Last year, she obtained a certificate in brand management from the University of Cape Town to expand her skills in that area.

Shipushu is generally a positive and optimistic person because she believes that she is responsible for the energy she brings to any situation.

About her journey

“I am an experienced branding and communications strategist with close to 20 years of experience across television broadcasting, public relations and marketing under my belt,” she says.

Shipushu’s first job, she was a production assistant at NBC where she worked her way up the corporate ladder. She left NBC after 10 years of service to pursue a different career path in corporate communication and public relations.

“This led me to work for amazing organisations such as the MVA Fund and Namibia Qualifications Authority and I feel honoured to have contributed to building these strong, respected brands,” she adds.

At her full time job, she works as a marketing and communications manager that she enjoys, because she gets the opportunity to engage with people. Shipushu is also an aspiring entrepreneur and is currently working on her business which is centred on many of her passions including brand management and strategic communications.

“Although my business is currently a side ‘hustle’, my vision is to run it on a full time basis in the near future,” Catherine Shipushu says.

Primarily this business was mainly about leveraging her skills and experience to do what she loves to do in her spare time. Along the way she realised that there is a need for what she knows that is why she decided to be bold enough to monetize her knowledge.

“I believe that my divine purpose is to help people recognize the greatness within them and use their God-given talents to achieve success and live their best lives. At the end of my life, I would like to look back and be content knowing that through my work and being of service to others, I have made a meaningful contribution to humanity,” she says.