Over 573 Namibian women have been trained through the Katuka Mentorship Programme to date, as the initiative celebrated its 2025 graduates and introduced the 2026 cohort during a ceremony in Windhoek.
Bank Windhoek, the main sponsor of the Programme for the past six years, said it continues to support the initiative to strengthen women’s participation in business leadership. Bronwyn Moody, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Social Responsibility at the bank, said the Programme’s purpose is rooted in building genuine professional relationships.
“The Programme is about building trust between mentor and mentee and understanding what each needs to move forward and make an impact as Namibian women in business,” she said.
She added that the bank views its involvement as an investment in the country’s development.
“Moments like these manifest that Bank Windhoek is a genuine relationship bank, a conduit for young women and their dreams to deliver genuine value for Namibians and their future,” Moody said.
Programme Founder and Director Deseré Lundon-Muller said the initiative’s foundation is women supporting one another through shared skills and experience.
“What makes Katuka special is not the structure or the timetable. It is the heart. It is the willingness of experienced women to open their doors to others. It is the courage of younger women to stretch themselves, to learn, to ask questions, to rise,” she said.
Lundon-Muller acknowledged the backing of Bank Windhoek and the guidance of the Programme’s Patron, Dr Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
The Programme received 84 mentee applications and 34 mentor applications for the next intake, with 55 pairs selected for the 2026 cycle. Orientation is scheduled for February, followed by training sessions in April and August 2026.
The event also featured remarks by 2025 mentee Maria Ndazapo and mentor Abena Tambrescu, who both shared how mentorship has shaped their professional growth.
As certificates were presented to this year’s graduates, Lundon-Muller reminded participants that mentorship is the beginning of continued responsibility.
“Tonight is not the end. It is the opening chapter of something bigger. Your success will not come from luck; it will come from preparation, confidence and your willingness to take opportunities when they appear,” she said.
Founded in 2001, the Katuka Mentorship Programme continues to expand its reach and remains focused on fostering leadership, confidence and professional advancement among Namibian women.
