Lodge manager follows his passion
Sam Nande has been working at Chameleon Backpackers for almost 20 years and can’t imagine working anywhere else.
Mariselle Stofberg
Sam Nande is the lodge manager at Chameleon Backpackers and has been working at establishment for close to 20 years.
This passionate and motivated employee believes hard work and passion plays an important role in any career.
Nande was born in the northern part of Namibia in the Oshikoto Region in 1968, where he completed his primary and high school career.
He started his career as a barman at a restaurant in Windhoek for five years. His journey at Chameleon Backpackers started in 1999.
“During my career I’ve met so many interesting people and seen so many places. I’ve made friends with people from all over the world and that is the part of my job that I enjoy the most,” he said.
As a lodge manager Nande is responsible for overseeing the workers and supervising and managing the lodge. Chameleon Backpackers provides training that employees can attend and Nande has been able to secure six certificates through training conducted by the Namibian Training Authority (NTA), which has helped him to move up the ranks.
He believes his employer provides staff with ways in which they can further not only their skills and experience, but also allows their careers.
“I love being able to talk to people on a daily basis. Being able to be on the move constantly, and finding ways to help tourists and promote my country, are some of the things I enjoy most in my career.”
Nande could not imagine working with any other team than the team at Chameleon Backpackers. “When I’m at Chameleon I feel at home and they are my family. Here I have the space to work without people forcing their ways on me. Here I can just be myself.” Nande plans to stay at Chameleon Backpackers until he retires.
He advises young people to expose themselves to opportunities and to actually have hands-on experience in the careers they want to pursue, instead of blindly choosing a career based on what they think it entails. “Having a diploma or degree is great, but make sure you really know what the career entails before you commit. Having practical experience allows you to make informed decisions.”
Sam Nande is the lodge manager at Chameleon Backpackers and has been working at establishment for close to 20 years.
This passionate and motivated employee believes hard work and passion plays an important role in any career.
Nande was born in the northern part of Namibia in the Oshikoto Region in 1968, where he completed his primary and high school career.
He started his career as a barman at a restaurant in Windhoek for five years. His journey at Chameleon Backpackers started in 1999.
“During my career I’ve met so many interesting people and seen so many places. I’ve made friends with people from all over the world and that is the part of my job that I enjoy the most,” he said.
As a lodge manager Nande is responsible for overseeing the workers and supervising and managing the lodge. Chameleon Backpackers provides training that employees can attend and Nande has been able to secure six certificates through training conducted by the Namibian Training Authority (NTA), which has helped him to move up the ranks.
He believes his employer provides staff with ways in which they can further not only their skills and experience, but also allows their careers.
“I love being able to talk to people on a daily basis. Being able to be on the move constantly, and finding ways to help tourists and promote my country, are some of the things I enjoy most in my career.”
Nande could not imagine working with any other team than the team at Chameleon Backpackers. “When I’m at Chameleon I feel at home and they are my family. Here I have the space to work without people forcing their ways on me. Here I can just be myself.” Nande plans to stay at Chameleon Backpackers until he retires.
He advises young people to expose themselves to opportunities and to actually have hands-on experience in the careers they want to pursue, instead of blindly choosing a career based on what they think it entails. “Having a diploma or degree is great, but make sure you really know what the career entails before you commit. Having practical experience allows you to make informed decisions.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article