Steven’s Journey to Becoming a Change Agent in Namibia

Alum, Steven Kashekele of Namibia sees himself as an influencer for change – someone who identifies key societal issues and works towards solutions. His deep understanding of Namibia’s socio-economic and political affairs, combined with his professional skills and networking abilities, positioned him as a leader who can have influence in this space.

His scholarship strengthened his expertise and his ability to be a change agent in Namibia’s media and policy landscape. Steven’s ultimate goal is to become an international journalist or a Press Attaché for the Namibian government or a diplomatic mission. To achieve this, he needed to expand his knowledge of international relations, as Namibia does not offer such specialised courses.

“According to the National Statistics Agency Labour Force Survey (2022), Namibia faces a shortage of qualified journalists specialising in international affairs, making this field a national development priority to me,” he explains.

Before receiving an Australia Award, Steven worked as a journalist with a strong focus on community reporting, particularly highlighting the voices of marginalised communities in Namibia. His responsibilities included writing and reporting, operating cameras, video editing, organising events, and managing public relations and communication strategies at the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. Based in the Erongo Region, Steven worked in both rural areas and the regional office in Swakopmund. Steven also does freelance work with Voice of America while continuing his role at the Ministry.

Addressing Namibia’s challenges

With the recent completion of his Australia Awards Scholarship where he graduated with a master’s Degree in international relations from Macquarie University, Steven is well-placed to address some of the pressing challenges that Namibia faces. For Steven, these challenges include access to education and high-quality information which enables better participation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and government accountability, the inclusion, participation, and empowerment of marginalised communities such as the San people and the improvement of the high prevalence of road fatalities in Namibia.

As a former Public Relations Officer for the Erongo Regional Road Safety Forum (ERRSF), Steven witnessed the consequences of outdated road safety laws. According to the Global Road Safety Facility report (2021), 73% of road crash fatalities in Namibia occur among the economically productive age group between 15 and 64 years. According to Steven, Namibia’s road safety laws remain outdated and do not align with UN Vehicle Safety Regulations. As the Regional Public Relations Officer of the ERRSF, Steven actively researched and advocated for road safety policies, including successfully proposing the ban of seven-seater sedans from long-distance public transport. Through his studies, he gained insights into international regulatory frameworks, including the UN Vehicle Safety Regulations, which he can use to advocate for policy reforms in Namibia. His research skills and media expertise will help him create effective awareness campaigns and push for legislative changes that enhance road safety.

With regards to access to education and information, the Namibia Labour Force Survey (2022) states that only 57.9% of Namibians have access to quality information. Research by Olof Hesselmark and Jonathan Miller (2013) highlights that Namibia’s slow ICT development hinders citizen participation in ICT and government accountability while a UNICEF Namibia report emphasised the importance of communication in enabling inclusion, participation, and empowerment. Steven’s studies reinforced the role of the media in governance and development. He aims to use this knowledge to improve digital literacy, particularly among marginalised communities like the San people. Inspired by documentaries such as Tears in the Desert, Steven plans to produce films that highlight socio-economic challenges and drive policy action.

Steven’s studies in international relations equipped him with the knowledge to provide in-depth reporting on global issues from a Namibian perspective. He developed expertise in diplomatic communication, policy analysis, and global political economy and additionally, his academic experience expanded his professional network, allowing him to collaborate with global media professionals to amplify Namibia’s voice internationally.

Participation in on-award enrichment activities

During his time in Australia, Steven was actively involved in several enriching activities. These experiences had a profound impact on Steven’s personal and professional growth. Most of Steven’s participation in on-award enrichment activities involved working with fellow students and professionals.

“I served as the Marketing Officer for the Macquarie University African Student Association (MUASA), where I managed communication and promotional activities for events“, he shared. He was also an active participant in the university’s Global Leadership Program, attending seminars and public lectures on international relations and global issues. At MUASA, he collaborated with other African students on event planning and promotional strategies. He also interacted with Japanese students three times a week through his English tutoring sessions. Outside of academic and professional commitments, Steven trained daily at the gym and played volleyball regularly with friends he met through sports.

“Participating in extracurricular activities allowed me to engage socially and build meaningful relationships with a diverse range of people and expanded my professional networks. These activities enriched my knowledge beyond the classroom, providing insights that complemented my master’s degree. The Global Leadership Program, for instance, gave me exposure to discussions on governance and diplomacy while my English teaching role improved my mentoring and cross-cultural communication skills. They strengthened my leadership and communication skills, enhanced my global awareness, and allowed me to connect with a network of like-minded individuals,” he reflected.

Steven discovered these opportunities through multiple channels such as the Macquarie University’s website and social media pages, through networking and contacts while the Global Leadership Program also played a significant role in connecting him to various engagements, from public lectures to workshops.

Steven’s advice to current and future scholars is to be proactive in seeking opportunities and staying engaged beyond academics. Networking is also crucial and building relationships with fellow students, professors, and industry professionals can open doors for future career prospects.

“University life offers a wealth of experiences, from student societies to leadership programs—take advantage of them. It is also important to balance academics with extracurricular activities, ensuring that every opportunity you take contributes to your long-term career goals,” Steven emphasised.

Support and future plans

Studying international relations at Macquarie University has provided Steven with valuable skills to tackle the Namibian challenges which he chose to address. He attributes his academic success to three key contributors who supported him throughout his journey: Australia Awards Africa and the Australian Government, his  Student Contact Officer at Macquarie University, Ilaria Teuffer and the support, love and resilience of his wife who took on immense responsibilities while he was in Australia, ensuring that their children were cared for and that he could focus on his education.

“The knowledge imparted by my professors challenged and inspired me, shaping my understanding of global affairs. The friendships and connections I built with fellow students enriched my experience, offering diverse perspectives and invaluable discussions that broadened my outlook. I now have a stronger understanding of policy and governance, which will help me advocate for better road safety regulations and encourage Namibia to adopt global standards. My ability to craft effective media campaigns has also improved allowing me to push for increased awareness of educational disparities and the digital divide in Namibia. My time in Australia expanded my global network, giving me access to experts in media, policy, and international development who can contribute to solutions for Namibia’s marginalised communities,” he concluded.

Steven’s journey is a testament to the power of education and determination in driving positive change. His story inspires others to pursue their goals and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Australia Awards Africa looks forward to report on Steven’s future impact as he implements his Reintegration Action Plan in the coming months.