• Youth

A great passion for progress

Martin Nankela is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and a postgraduate degree in forensic and investigative auditing from the University of South Africa. He is the founder of the annual Business Summit Namibia, the managing director of Cross Branding Investment, a leader at the Burning Love Foundation and the founder of the One Worship Movement.

Successful project

The first edition of Business Summit Namibia took place in 2021. The summit is designed as a platform where industry leaders and professionals are linked to those who aspire to become successful entrepreneurs. This link is expected to give entrepreneurs exposure to the real world and make it easier for them to make great connections with experts in their fields.

Looking back at the first summit, Nankela said the team behind the event did not think it would be successful.

The decision to make this summit an annual event came after he noticed that “the turnout from the public was great and that Namibians are hungry for platforms like these”. Once the team decided to work on the second edition of the summit, it became a responsibility to live up to the first with the upcoming editions.

Interacting with the youth granted him the opportunity to notice the need for effective business platforms for them to thrive.

“We have created this platform where people can learn and be well informed on possible partnerships and business ventures that interest them. The second edition of the Business Summit Namibia took place on 4 June at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek.

“At the event, many lessons and skills are shared, which makes the event a success,” Nankela said. He firmly believes that when information is not gained, making informed decisions and finding solutions is hindered. Information sessions on how to start a business, financial literacy and networking with leaders in different industries sum up the event for those who would like to attend in future.

Just start

Nankela said the first step to see whether a project is successful is by starting.

“How will you know if you do not start and experience it? It is better to start and fail. Rather gain experience instead of only possessing an idea,” he said. He added that investors and partners only make commitments to what they see has potential. When you start and eventually find your niche, you have ground to build on, he said.

Getting a mentor, studying and understanding the market which you’d like to operate in will make your idea an achievable reality, Nankela said.

After attending the event, many young professionals built confidence in networking and becoming entrepreneurs. Describing his experience at the second summit, Johnson Nghifitikeko said it was a “massive success”. He said he enjoyed everything at the event, where he witnessed diverse and experienced speakers imparting their knowledge well.

“The information shared has been useful for me; it has added significantly to my repertoire,” he said.

Speakers at the Summit were: Managing director of Twilight Capital, Mally Likukela; senior researcher and development officer at Agribank Namibia, Indileni Nanghonga; CEO at the Development Bank of Namibia, Martin Inkumbi; director of Kadhikwa Group of Companies, Twapewa Kadhikwa, and founder and CEO of CBI Global, Coenie Botha.

Administrator for the Business Summit Namibia committee, Chris Moshosho said the organising team saw the need to inform the general public of this event by other means.

“We did not want to focus solely on social media, but also made use of print media. Considering every Namibian without internet access, we thought newspapers were a great way to inform them of this summit,” he said.

Moshosho added that the venue, Hilton Hotel, was intentionally selected to host the summit. “While planning the event, we made sure to select a venue in the centre of Windhoek. We did this to accommodate students and young professionals with a central meeting point which was not too far away,” he said.

Nankela’s six tips to manage finances:

1. Know what to invest, save and spend your money on

2. Educate yourself on economic matters

3. Do not compare yourself to others as far as finances are involved

4. Do not spend recklessly to impress or please your friends

5. Know the difference between wants and needs

6. Know that your responsibilities are different from others’.