Namibian businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun defied the odds and left a prestigious job with IBM for the unpredictable world of business, dealing in African artifact in San Jose, California- a move that would lead to the unexpected. The story of Africa’s development cannot be told comprehensively without the inclusion of the current call to action
With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management from St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville Virginia, she got an MBA in Finance from the University of California, Berkley and another MBA from the University of California, Santa Clara.
After her studies, she bagged a job at the prestigious IBM where she soon excelled. To the shock of many, after a few years, Namundjebo-Tilahun decided to resign from the IBM with the plan to start up her own business. The response from her boss was the added push she needed at the time. “I went to ask him about the process of resigning from the job and he said “we never had people quitting this company… you should look at yourself that you’re lucky to be part of the IBM.” I said, really?” She quit. Namundjebo-Tilahun set up her own business selling African artifact in San Jose, California; a huge step an had no misgivings about it “if I could not fail on the other side, what’s going to make me fail in Africa where I belong?” Again, she proved herself and built a successful business in her home country and became one of the biggest employers of labor in Namibia.
Among other businesses in several sectors of the economy, Namundjebo-Tilahun owns the Hilton Windhoek, the first five-star Hotel in the Republic of Namibia. In addition to her involvement in the running of the Untied Africa Group, she holds the positions of Chairperson, Director and Board member in several reputable business organizations, including Protea Hotels Namibia- a division of the United Africa Group, Chairperson of MEATCO Board; President of Tullow Oil Namibia; Chair-person of the Namibian Business Board of Advisors; Commissioner of the National Commission on Research, Science & Technology. She serves on the board of several other organizations and agencies and was appointed a member of Namibia's Parliament in January, 2020.Nanumdjebo-Tilahun is not just all about business. She is a wife and mother and makes extra effort to balance every area of her life which on the surface, appear to be interwoven considering she’s business partners with her husband “when I’m here I’m the co-owner and chairperson of this company. Nothing personal and I do business with my husband. When I’m home, I am the mother to mother of my children. In the bedroom, I’m wife to my husband.” For Namundjebo-Tilahun, the African woman is one of the "strongest and resilient people on earth" as they rise above their challenges, most of which are embedded in their cultures, and still thrive. “Some of our African sisters have been deprived of access to education and this has really cost them opportunities to further their dreams and transform their lives.
However, despite the lack of education many women face each day, they wake up in the morning and put their best foot forward.” It is putting her best foot for-ward and belief in self that helped her get to where she is, currently. “Define your-self. Do not let people define you, and also brand yourself because everybody is unique. Brand yourself. Tell yourself very good stories. ”She founded the Dr. Mather Namundjebo-Tilahun Foundation that primarily focuses on the girl-child. The organization has a mentorship program for girls 16-24 years-old, an entrepreneurship program and a financial assistance program all geared towards “nurturing the African Girl-child to be a key architect of society and a cradle of hope. ”Mather Namundjebo-Ti-lahun would like to leave a legacy of unity; a legacy of giving back to the community, of sharing, of hard work, dedication and passion, "a legacy where people not only remember me the way I used to look but that my work speak for me." She charged women and girls of African descent to be their own inspiration, "the only person who can prevent you from prospering is yourself. By having a limited belief of yourself, you pull yourself back. Whether you are having a good day, or a bad day, put your favorite outfit, walk with your head high, go forward and tackle each challenge you face head-on."
