Namibia’s president Hege Geingob recently made a cabinet reshuffle in which he appointed Emma Theofilus as the’ Deputy Information and Technology Minister’, making her the youngest person to join the cabinet at 23 years and Africa’s youngest minister.
So who exactly is Emma Theofilus?
Theofelus is a law graduate. She has a diploma in African feminism and gender studies as well as a diploma in Business Management from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and Amity University, respectively.
Theofilus was employed as legal officer in the Ministry of Justice where she dealt with drafting human rights reports as well as implementing the human rights strategy of the nation, among others. She previously served as secretary general of the Unam student representative council. She also served as Namibian National Students Organization (Nanso) secretary between 2015-2017.
She is a former junior mayor of Windhoek (2013-2014) and during the same period started serving as a member of the Children’s Parliament until 2015, starting as deputy speaker and later becoming the speaker. “I was exposed too early in leadership roles.”
The young MP is also a member of AfriYan – a youth network comprised of young people from eastern and southern Africa. The network promotes sexual education, reproductive health, rights and issues facing the girl child.
Here are the 5 leadership lessons we have learnt from her.
DETERMINATION
Her appointment attracted a lot of negative reaction especially from the older generation, arguing she is too young and inexperienced.
“I do not think I am special, but I do not think I am inexperienced, and I do not think being young or female has anything to do with my appointment. Anything I set myself to and any environment I want to work into, I can do it; so the issue of inexperience does not hold any water.”
WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ADVICE
“As long as I have the support and guidance, I do not think I would go wrong. I will bank on the experience I have, but I am also willing to take advice and guidance from those that have been there before me.”
CONFIDENCE
“I am told I will be used as a benchmark for young people. I take on the challenge like I have taken other leadership roles. It is uncharted territory and political space but I am ready to take on the challenge.”
POSITIVITY
“Everyone has a role. If you are able to learn, understand, gather and acquaint yourself with anything that is available, you can do anything.”
MENTORSHIP
“There is nothing anybody has taught me that my mother has not.”
