Pamela Gertze - Bachelor of Science: Physics 4th year
Brief: SRC President 2021
Share your achievement/success story in detail. My success story started when I was still trying to find my feet at the University in my first year at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. I wanted to fit in, to leave behind a mark and be part of a team or group that would strive to do better or make conditions better for the next group. With this I contested for the Housing Committee in 2018 and was elected into position in 2019 as HC for Accommodation. I went further on and contested for the Student Representative Council in 2019 and was elected into the position of Vice-president in 2020. This two years in leadership enlightened me to continue crafting my leadership skills and character and motivated me to continue as I contested for the SRC: President position and was elected into office in 2021.
Tell us more about your journey leading up to this moment. We tend to overlook the little steps that get us to the final destination regarded as success. For me success is the journey and not the final destination. What I rather ask myself is what struggles and fears did I overcome to get to where I am today or where I would want to be because that is where my success is, in those little wins.
I started my first year at the Namibia University of Science and Technology in 2017. During that year I struggled to fit in and render meaningful contributions. That is when I decided to get more involved and belong to a team that would make a meaningful impact to society and students. I challenged myself to take up leadership roles at NUST. I contested for the Housing Committee as an HC for Accommodation in 2018 and was elected in the position in 2019. After serving for a year I realized that I can do more and the position at the current time limited me, thus I decided to run for an SRC portfolio in 2019. I contested for SRC vice-president in 2019 and was elected in office in 2020. This step of elevation helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and interacting with various students. I than noticed that my journey in student leadership needs to be crafted to perfection and again challenged myself to take up another position in the Student Representative Council for yet another year. I contested for SRC: President for the 2021 academic year with of course not having figured it all out yet as this is an ever-learning and self-development journey for me. It is time to change the norm and societal pressure of having to prove yourself in an executive position as a women in leadership. The success journey is not to end here but rather continue as I am learning to face and overcome fears and build true character of a born leader.
What does this achievement mean to you and how will you use it to motivate others? Being the current SRC president proved to me that by believing in a dream and understanding the bigger vision you can attain anything you put your mind to. This Achievement taught me how to overcome my fears and challenges, by facing them head-on and not allow to be consumed by them. Keep pushing through the struggles, the limitations, the doubts and fears. Make your little wins count as it directs you to your BIG win or achievements.
What are your plans for the future? My short-term plan for this year is to successfully complete my Honours Degree, truly represent students on all levels and make a great success of the 2021 academic year. Long-term plans would be to further my studies to a Masters level in the STEM field and continue making a meaningful contributions in the Science Education, Training and Research field in Namibia.
Share with us your success quote! "You were born to stand out, stop trying to fit in. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying." - Roy T. Bennett , The Light in the heart.