Stellenbosch University alumna Therisia Titus is a stick of dynamite that blows up challenges as she steadily ascends the ranks at NamWater in Windhoek.
The 34-year-old is in charge of the property arm of Namibia’s bulk water supplier. At the same time, she is an active member of SU’s Namibian Alumni Chapter, and amidst her many responsibilities, she makes time to pay it forward.
“I assisted Randall Adams, chapter coordinator, to engage our alumni around financial support for Namibians currently studying at SU. Initially, I was the only volunteer at the alumni chapter, but as we grew, we got in some more volunteers,” she says. A standout moment for her was meeting with the Namibian first lady’s non-governmental organisation to discuss possible collaboration. “Their primary goal is also to make a difference, especially in terms of education.” They have been able to secure pledges for sponsorships and donations to the fund and have started hosting fundraisers. “With the 2021 Desert Dash, we had a GivenGain campaign where we recruited Namibian SU alumni who cycled the Desert Dash – about 393 km from Windhoek to Swakopmund through the desert. That’s rather challenging.”
Two four-member teams entered, and each cyclist had a GivenGain online profile where money was raised for the cause.
“We also have some other fundraising projects lined up,” says Therisia.
The fund will initially assist Namibian Maties with outstanding student debt and registration fees, she explains. “The fund is still small – it’s not a full bursary – but we can help carry the students through to the next stage. It’s a cause close to my heart. I was brought up with the idea that education is your pathway. So if I can, I’d like to share that and make a difference, especially in education.”
She graduated from SU with the degrees BCom and BComHons in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In January 2010, she started her journey at NamWater, who had provided her with a bursary and, as part of the bursary conditions, also an appointment to complete in-service training.
Having completed her stint as accountant-in-training, she was promoted to cost accountant in 2014. “Then I took on the role as management accountant. I was appointed in my current position as property consultant in the business development division in 2015.”
Her management portfolio includes additional responsibilities such as running project management, change management, customer care and, since May, also auxiliary services. Therisia also holds an MBA degree from the Stellenbosch Business School and an MSc in Data Analytics and Finance from Arden University in the United Kingdom.
She’s a well-travelled go-getter. As part of her MBA, she was part of an exchange programme to Leipzig and Prague, and later attended an e-commerce course at Fudan University in Shanghai. “In terms of value-add, I can honestly say that the learnings and teachings at SU set me apart from my peers from other local universities. The leadership skills gained from the MBA put me on a completely different path in terms of becoming a better leader and manager, which also opened doors.”
Cape Town is also very special to her.
“In my first year, my mom and dad drove with me from Windhoek to Cape Town.”
Her parents always kept her grounded, she adds: “My parents were strict, and when I used to go to them with an achievement, they’d say: ‘Well done, but it’s for your own future, so you have to work hard.’”
That lesson has stuck. “I always want to give my best and make a difference in people’s lives, situations and circumstances where I am and where I can.”
- Writer: Michelle Linnert-Jansen
- This is the first issue of our magazine for Maties alumni, and many of the stories reflect the resilience of the individual writ large.
If you are seeking a few life hacks or simple reminders about turning adversity into opportunity, do read on, Maties!
https://console.vpaper.ca/stellenbosch-university/always-a-matie-202301_eng/
