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Strong and independent

Ester Kamati



Born and raised in Onepandaulo in the Ohangwena Region, Lovisa Johannes prides herself on being an independent and strong woman.

She started her academic journey at Otjikondo Primary School and later matriculated from St Joseph’s Roman Catholic High School in Dobra in 2011.

Johannes went on to pursue her Bachelor of Science degree in physics/geology at the University of Namibia (Unam), where she graduated in 2018.

She is motivated to show that she is a force to be reckoned with and will soon be travelling to pursue a postgraduate degree in renewable thermal energy at the graduate school of engineering at Hiroshima University in Japan.

Johannes told The Zone she has always found herself studying away from home since an early age, as she has attended boarding schools in both the primary and high school phases.

She says this has moulded her into the self-reliant woman she is today.

Johannes describes herself as humble, kind, loving and passionate about science and technology.

She affirmed that she has wanted to be a scientist from the very beginning.

“It was my ultimate goal to study science after high school,” she exclaimed.

The young graduate will be the 10th Namibian research student to receive 100% funding for her studies, courtesy of the Japanese government’s science ministry, since the scholarship’s initiation.

As much as she is thrilled to be living her dream, she is humbled and grateful for the opportunity.

When she is not studying or conducting an experiment, Johannes is typically in her room reading a book and listening to music or sleeping.

She also enjoys chilling and going on fun-filled camping adventures with her friends and family in her free time.

“What motivates me is my drive to succeed and have a better life, not just for myself but for those around me as well in my country,” Johannes said proudly.

She added that her mother has always served as her principle form of inspiration.

Asked how she feels about leaving the country to pursue her studies overseas, Johannes shared she is immensely excited, as she is going to be exposed to a whole new and diverse environment.

She is confident that she will adjust, as she is all about challenges.

She says she will build networks with people from different countries, who have different ideas.

Fun facts about Lovisa

1. She has an obsession with kinky, natural hair.

2. She has two star signs. Sometimes she’s Virgo and other times a Leo. She was born on 23 August.

3. She used to be a very good athlete as a child.

4. She loves spicy, chilli food.

5. She never stops searching things on Google.

6. The quote that speaks to her deeply is: “When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

7. She has six siblings

8. She always prefers odd numbers especially 3 and 7.

9. She dislikes it when people shorten words unnecessarily in text messages.

1. Her mother has always been her major source of inspiration.