On Wednesday, Gondwana Collection Namibia celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of local guides at a ceremony held at The Weinberg, marking a significant milestone in the company’s sustained effort to empower local talent and professionalise the guiding industry in Namibia.
Graduating cohort alongside members of the Gondwana People Team. Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Among those present were senior management, training providers, and representatives from the national regulatory body, symbolising a strong commitment to partnership, skills development and community-based tourism. In her opening remarks, Group HR Manager Jana Burger congratulated the graduates on their dedication, hard work and discipline throughout the training programme. She emphasised that the new guides are not merely graduates - they are ambassadors of Gondwana’s ethos and of Namibia’s heritage: “You join the family of Gondwana as ambassadors of our promise; to show visitors the beauty of Namibia with pride, respect, and professionalism,” she said, urging the graduates to carry forward not only knowledge but also respect for the land, its people and their shared values.
Silke Ahrens addressing graduating cohort. Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Silke Ahrens, Learning & Development Manager at Gondwana, thanked all partners, mentors and stakeholders who contributed to the programme. She hailed the graduation as “proof that when public-private partnership meets commitment, real transformation happens,” and congratulated the participants for reaching this important milestone. From the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), Manager of Research & Planning, Mr. Indongo Indongo spoke about the vital importance of collaboration between government institutions, training bodies and industry stakeholders. He argued that integrating locally trained guides into the tourism sector is key to inclusive economic development - not only does it build capacity, but it also grants local communities dignity, ownership and real opportunity. Local guides, he said, are “investments not only in skills, but in dignity, ownership and a future where tourism benefits local communities.”
On behalf of the training provider Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH), board chairperson Martin Wilkinson addressed the graduates, urging them to lead with “authentic professionalism, integrity and ethics.” He reminded them that being a guide is more than pointing out landscapes or wildlife: it is about building trust, respect, and meaningful experiences and carrying the name of Namibia with dignity. Importantly, the graduates are not new entrants to Gondwana, but existing employees who transitioned from various operational roles into guiding through structured upskilling and accredited training. The programme reflects Gondwana’s commitment to internal career progression, enabling staff to grow professionally while strengthening the quality and authenticity of its guiding experience.
Left to right: Martin Wilkinson, Ronald Basson and Jana Burger. Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Ronald Basson, part of the 11 graduating participants, was awarded the top-performing graduate, and expressed deep gratitude to all entities involved for enabling the training programme and closed with a resonant message to the cohort: “If you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life.” The ceremony concluded with remarks from Mannfred Goldbeck, Executive Director of Brand & Marketing, who reflected on the broader learning ecosystem at Gondwana, likening the graduates to raw diamonds; newly unearthed, glittering with potential, but not yet fully polished. “With time, experience and dedication, you will shine,” he said, stressing that today’s graduation is not just the end of a training programme but the beginning of many journeys toward excellence.
The graduation yesterday adds to a growing legacy of Gondwana’s investment in skills development and community upliftment. The apprenticeship programme, in collaboration with NTA and NATH, is designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical guiding skills, thereby strengthening the capacity of Namibia’s tourism sector while ensuring that locals benefit directly from the country’s natural heritage. As the new guides embark on their professional journey, the industry and the communities they come from, will be watching with hope: these graduates carry not only certificates, but also the promise of sustainable, inclusive tourism grounded in professionalism, pride, respect, and local ownership.