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Saddam J Biwa is a true inspiration to all.

Monique Adams





Born in Windhoek in 1991, his family hails from the southern part of Namibia, Vaalgras and Gibeon. Biwa grew up in a very dynamic and loving home with his parents instilling great values such as respect, ambition, and persistence.

“My mother always raised me with the saying ‘you can’t be beaten by something that can’t speak,’ this is something that has guided me through every stage of my life,’’ he says.

His father being a well-respected teacher, always instilled strong discipline and the importance of education and order in Biwa. Growing up, his siblings would joke and say, ‘we are probably the only children that had to attend school twice a day.’

As he reminisces, he says that the structure provided him and his siblings with tools to adapt to every environment. During his primary school years at Emma Hoogenhout, ‘grow and flourish’ was the mantra ingrained in the learners, which acted as a vital source of motivation.

Biwa then attended Deutsche Hohre Privatschule in Windhoek, and for him, those were formidable years of character-building. The school offered an invaluable structure, perspective, and an opportunity to experience so many worldviews.

After completing high school, he moved to Cape Town to pursue his tertiary education in Architecture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). “The need to leave home was so difficult but is often needed for one to evolve and become a more resilient being. During this period, my sibling's and family's collective investment was the anchor in all my strides in Cape Town.

An experiential training requirement of his undergraduate led Biwa to his First Internship with his future employer Karen Munting. She really took a chance on this scrawny boy with no experience, just filled a lot of energy and ambition. "It was the break I needed after months of literally calling every Architectural firm in the Western Cape to no avail,” he says.

His work at Karen Munting granted him a scholarship to further his studies and graduate with an honour’s degree in Architectural Technology at CPUT. He then returned home for a year before continuing his education at the prestigious Graduate School of Architecture (GSA) of the University of Johannesburg.

After two years and successfully graduating with a Master's degree and a thesis titled 'Into the Wild: Accumulative Architectures of the City,' Biwa returned to Namibia. He then worked for Kamau Architects and Associates. An architectural firm who’s forward-thinking and investment in the youth will shape the architectural landscape years to come.

“Working at Kamau broadened my horizon as I was given numerous opportunities to serve on leadership positions and design roles that would empower, equip and prepare me to grow as a Project Manager and Principal Agent. Their willingness to provide young people with access to opportunities is really ground-breaking."

Saddam Biwa recently joined the One Economy Foundation as a Programme Manager. He will be responsible for ensuring the smooth implementation of programmes and institutionalising the #BeFree Movement key learnings. Since his appointment Biwa has been overseeing architectural and developing design concepts and engaging stakeholders and consultants on key projects.

Biwa’s day to day workload starts with a review of items that must be done during the week and brief forecasting weekly plans. He also feels that it is essential to start one's day by checking in with the team and colleagues.

“Community and a collective direction are vital to me, and it is essential to move forward as a group. This is generally followed by doing some directional sketches of programmatic design ideas.

He believes that this position's success is the physical manifestation of goals and objectives embodied by the One Economy Foundation through its ground-breaking Project #Befree initiative. A project aimed to provide an opportunity to design a multipronged framework tapping into existing programmes all directly focused on the youth and providing them with a safe platform of mentorship to grow and enlighten themselves.

Since its launch in 2016, the Movement has recognised a need to create safe spaces and an enabling environment where young people can realise their full potential, access friendly adolescent services, and most importantly, feel accepted, understood, and be heard.

As such, the #BeFree Movement is a non-judgmental, youth-focused dialogue platform that has served as a lead facilitator of difficult conversations, information sharing, and linking young people to services. #BeFree has assembled diverse voices and interests to drive progress for all, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by young people.

Biwa aspires to design spaces and establish design studios where artists can collaborate, find solutions, and innovative programmes that will inspire and contribute to bettering the lives and experiences of every Namibian.

“My advice for young people is to take education seriously. Formal education may not be the only golden ticket, but it is vital in opening different avenues. Knowledge of self is also of the highest importance; without it, you merely be following the crowd. Furthermore, I would like to illustrate that life is not a straight road. Along your path, you'll experience trials and tribulations, but your resilience, ambition, and faith will be your light through any darkness,” he says.