THE sky is literally not the limit for 24-year-old Herman Mwahafa Pahangwashimwe, an aspiring and budding businessman.
He is the holder of a private pilot’s licence, and is currently studying towards acquiring a commercial pilot’s licence at a local flight training centre in Windhoek.
He was born in the North, and grew up at Arandis. After failing Grade 12 in 2011, the young man moved to Windhoek in the hope of finding a job while improving his matric grades.
In an interview with The Namibian, the energetic Pahangwashimwe explained how the failure to find a job in Windhoek led him to start facilitating interaction between parties, for a commission or fee.
“If anyone wanted to buy a certain type of cellphone, for example, or a fan, I would look for someone selling theirs at a negotiated price and then sell it to the other person after adding my commission,” he said.
“I took every little opportunity that came my way; all this while I was still improving my Grade 12 results,” he added.
Seeing the difference profits/commissions in business made, he decided to volunteer at a local construction site in 2013 where he learnt all sorts of things such as painting, tiling and plastering. The aim, according to him, was to get the skills, and start his own company one day.
However, he continued his small informal middleman jobs and upgrading his Grade 12 results simultaneously.
“I worked so hard at the construction company because I knew what I wanted,” he said, adding that he finally acquired his proper points, which got him admission at a local aviation college.
He tried doing everything at once, as he also founded and registered his company Mwahafa Tiles and Renovations CC.
The company offers wall painting, plastering, and other services related to the construction industry.
“This meant working hard because the government study loan I got could not cover all my tuition costs,” he said.
Fearing that he would not manage everything alone, he partnered a friend who ran the business while he attended school.
However, he still managed to attend to his clients in between all his engagements, and whenever they got some work that he could not fully attend to, he hired qualified artisans to work on the projects.
“Even amidst my studies, I still make sure I give the best value for money in terms of quality service to my clients,” he noted.
Pahangwashimwe obtained his private pilot’s licence, and is busy with training for his commercial pilot’s licence.
“Business is my passion. Being a pilot is a career,” he said.
He now plans to complete his studies, and get a job where he can have more capital to inject in his business and grow it.
“Everything starts small. I am currently establishing my business,” he said.
His childhood friend Gerald Mumbala, who is an electrical student at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre, told The Namibian that Pahangwashimwe has always been that hardworking person who wants to do everything.
“He inspires me and assists me. I want to finish my studies and start my own business too one day,” he said.
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