Family support plays a big role in success - Ally Angula

Unconditional support from family and friends is an important aspect that contributes to the success of Ally Angula, one of Namibia’s up-and-coming business stars. Angula was born in Angola to Namibian parents in exile. In 1991 they returned to Namibia and she continued with her primary education at the People’s Primary School in Windhoek. In an interview with Namibian Sun, the successful entrepreneur said her parents played a vital role in her life. She ascribed her success to their overwhelming support when she approaches them with her ideas. Angula is a qualified charted accountant and owns Leap Holdings, a group of companies involved in the growing of fresh produce, garment manufacturing and retail. She is also a director on the boards of the Bank of Namibia, Oryx Properties, Rössing Uranium and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia. Angula said she had to invest a lot of time in her studies at the University of Namibia in order to reach her goal, which was to become a qualified chartered accountant. Angula said she was inspired by other entrepreneurs and such as Paragon Investment Holdings Executive Director Lazarus Jacobs, BoN Banking Services Director Sam Shivute, Executive Chairman of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group of Companies Sven Thieme and Old Mutual’s outgoing Chief Executive of Africa Operations, Johannes !Gawaxab. Her message to those who want to succeed and reach their full potential is: “Everything comes from the effort that you put in, act even in a small way towards realising your dreams daily. Excuse the naysayers for they do not understand the strength of your will and ability to execute.” Angula said when she had to decide what qualification to pursue after matriculating, her decision was influenced by the one rule her mother had made for her children, which was that no child of hers would study towards a diploma. At that time it was only Unam that offered degree programmes in Namibia. “My mom had one rule in the house regarding what kind of qualification her children should pursue at university and that was just a degree and not a diploma,” she said. Angula said she is driven to complete everything she starts. “Why start something and stop halfway?” Angula said there are people who visit the My Republik shop at the Grove Mall in Windhoek expecting that the products must be cheaper than the imported products in other shops. “It does not mean if something is produced locally it must be cheaper.” She said the cost of production is taken into consideration when the price of any product is set by the supplier. Angula said she cherishes the wonderful memories of her childhood, especially at the camp in Lubango where she took her first baby steps. She said having the right to decide whether she wanted to go to school was one of many things she remembers. Angula said that from a young age she always wanted to call the shots. “When I got into a different environment or neighbourhood I always wanted to be the girl everyone knew about and respected.” Angula is one of two Namibian entrepreneurs selected to attend the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be hosted by US President Barack Obama in Kenya later this month. Launched in 2009, GES brings together entrepreneurs and investors from across Africa and around the world annually to showcase innovative projects, exchange ideas and help spur economic opportunity. Angula said she is excited about going to Kenya and will make use of her time there to learn about the country, ask other entrepreneurs how they overcame challenges and learn from them. Angula has been married for 14 years and has two children, one aged 13 and the other five. She said a normal weekday for her starts at 07:00, when she has to get her daughter ready for kindergarten at 08:00. From there she heads to the office and attends to her businesses, which could include work at the Ministry of Finance, attending to Leap Holdings or sitting in board meetings. WINDHOEK KENYA KAMBOWE