My Career

Kawela M'ule (KM), who is well on her way to becoming a digital marketing 'ninja', chats to Walter Kariko (WK) about the factors that have shaped the progression of her career thus far.

WK: Who is Kawela M'ule?

KM: A Zambian born, Namibian-bred young lady aspiring to become a digital marketing 'ninja'. I acquired a bachelor of journalism degree in 2014, specialising in new media, a course that ignited my interest in digital media and led me to pursuing a certificate in digital marketing through GetSmarter and the University of Cape Town. I was also awarded the Osisa scholarship for African women media leaders at Rhodes University in 2019, to study towards a postgraduate diploma in media management, which I obtained with distinction – a pivotal moment in my personal and career journey.

WK: As a marketing specialist at FNB, one of the leading banks in the country, what do you exactly do?

KM: I provide all forms of marketing support for my specific business unit, RMB.

WK: Walk us through your career and some of the past experiences that have shaped you.

KM: Firstly, my education has played a key role in shaping who I am and how I have grown in my career. Within journalism, I felt more inclined to explore the digital media and eventually digital marketing side of things, and I was fortunate enough to be able to receive formal education in these interest areas to enhance and supplement my skills in the workforce. When you come from an institution that is more theory based, you eventually come to the (sometimes harsh) realisation that you need to apply what you have learned in the real world in order to make a difference in your own way, and how you navigate that, is all up to you.

Secondly, with regards to my work experience in the different fields, starting out in journalism and media, to advertising and now banking, working in these different environments has allowed me to adapt in different situations, and refined my skills to thrive and absorb as much knowledge as possible, increasing my adaptability.

WK: What is it like working at one of the biggest financial institutions in the country?

KM: Initially, very intimidating, but once you see the value your skills provide in the greater scheme of things, it's extremely rewarding.

WK: What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

KM: The joy that comes with seeing a concept grow into a full-blown campaign. The process might not always be smooth, but it comes with many learnings, and a sense of pride once it is complete. Secondly, the bank has a wealth of knowledgeable people from different walks of life who you can always learn from. Those connections are extremely valuable and should not be underestimated.

WK: In July, Africa's Fearless Thinker and Lion Bench were unveiled at your head office in Windhoek. Tell us more about this initiative.

KM: The statue of the young woman, entitled 'Africa's Fearless Thinker', was created by artist Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe, while the concrete lion was created by Pieter Greyvensteyn. 'Africa's Fearless Thinker' was inspired by the iconic 'Fearless Girl' statue in New York, which faced down Wall Street's bronze 'Charging Bull' in 2017. These are both artworks commissioned by RMB, which you will find at their office in Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, and now Windhoek.

'Africa's Fearless Thinker' embodies the values of courage and strength, as well as collaboration, by choosing to stand with the lion by her side. This lion, which appears in RMB's logo, represents the institution's near five-decade history. The lion is also a symbol of Africa and, as the Fearless Thinker's companion, provides her with a safe space in which courageous conversations can be held.

Furthermore, 'Africa's Fearless Thinker' is a powerful symbol of gender equality. A clear business imperative that our CEO Philip Chapman encourages us all to implement, as it looks at the collaborative diversity men and women offer. The statue serves as a beacon of hope that encourages young women in Africa to approach all challenges with fearless thinking and thoughtful solutions.

RMB, and the rest of the FirstRand Namibia Group, believe that it is vital that a woman's status in the economy is elevated, through changing attitudes around gender roles, improving working conditions, widening social safety nets and implementing policies that enable women to participate in the formal economy.

WK: Before joining FNB, your profile on LinkedIn states that you were a multimedia journalist, a social media manager and a social media and digital specialist. How would you apply your experience in your new role?

KM: A major plus in my skill set was my understanding of digital media and marketing, because that is how we effectively communicate our brand messaging and products to our audience, alongside the traditional forms of marketing. Digital marketing and media is involved in all my tasks on a daily basis, as this is an important fixture in our modern lives, and more so as access to the internet continues to grow in Africa.

Multimedia journalism equipped me to work with different mediums, build discipline, improve on communication skills, especially in the written format, and most importantly, learning to ask the right questions that will help bring a solution for my clients and the customers they serve.

WK: What are the three top skills one needs for the future?

KM: Good communication skills, adaptability and problem solving skills.

WK: How would you encourage young people who want to enter the marketing and corporate sector?

KM: For those whose goal or first encounter with marketing is in a corporate setting, make sure that you always remain agile, aware of the processes of how to work in a corporate environment, and always remain willing to pull insight from your team. No one arrived here an expert, we all had to learn along the way and still are. Be patient with yourself, take the failures as lessons and use that to build resilience and something you can work on improving. Lastly, never stop learning.

WK: From whose well of wisdom do you draw? Any mentors, or are you self-made?

KM: My mother mostly, and the leaders I have met in educational and work settings. I have been fortunate to have great leaders in every industry who have helped shape me into the person I am today.

WK: Recommend three good reads.

KM: Give me anything Toni Morrison.