Johannes Kapeuasha is a graduate from the Engineering Institute of Technology and at our 2018 African Graduation Gala in October he was awarded Graduate of the Year.
After completing high school in 2007 he enrolled at a college in Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe. Here he completed a certificate in computer science (database systems) and then another one in 2009 which certified him to work as a computer technician. He worked in the field for a year, but felt he needed to learn more and kick-start his career. He said:
“I decided that I wanted to be part of the robotic and artificial intelligence revolution. For me, to be part of this revolution, I immediately realized that I either had to do software engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. I ended up choosing electrical engineering.”
He joined the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) and began studying towards the Electrical Engineering Millwright Trade. At the same time he began an internship at Namibia Dairies where he was exposed to the industrial side of the industry. In the last year of his internship in 2014, just before his trade test in 2015, he enrolled for a National Diploma in Electronic Engineering at a South African college named INTEC College.
He passed his trade test on his first try and graduated from INTEC in 2016.
Johannes is a true believer in the opportunities that education offers (and is certainly not afraid of hard work). He has since graduated from the Engineering Institute of Technology; he completed the Advanced Diploma of Applied Electrical Engineering (Electrical Systems).
While studying with EIT (which is structured to allow students to also work full time), he realised that there was something preventing him from thriving. He said:
“The job market in Namibia at the time was not favourable. It was really hard to get jobs at that time; however, I was able to make a living as a private electrical contractor, until the situation became so desperate that I was not able to get small jobs anymore.”
As a result, Johannes settled for a security guard job for a local company named Inter Africa Security Services and then later, Omega Security, which helps protect one of the busiest malls in Windhoek, in Namibia. While with this company, this year, Johannes’ luck turned around: Omega Security promoted him to the Industrial Security System Technician role. And he is enjoying his work:
“I love hands-on tasks. I love solving technical problems and having a chance to work in the field that brings me fulfilment each and every day. Technology is really growing fast, and changing everything around us and how we interact with our environment. I am truly fortunate to be part of one of the recent developments – remote arming of home security systems.”
At our Graduation Gala in South Africa, Johannes was overjoyed to be named 2018 Graduate of the Year. He is pleased to have been rewarded for his efforts in the face of overwhelming financial hardship and challenging time constraints.
“What my engineering career has taught me, if I were to sum up my career thus far, is not to be afraid and to work hard. Do not look at other professions and look down at them. Every industry needs an engineer. If you believe in something, go for it – do not let anyone say you cannot do it. You can achieve great things; all you need to do is just believe. I am living proof that anyone can achieve anything they put their minds to. Do not be afraid to dream…dream big.”
Johannes is determined and believes in himself, but these alone have not been enough to enable him to achieve all that he has. He makes it clear that without the support of those closest to him none of this would have been possible.
He wanted us to include a “special tribute to the people who made me who I am today.” His special thanks go to his mother, Mrs. Menete Kapeuasha, to his sister, Josephina Kapeuasha, to his faithful best friend, Ms. Bella Kavungo, and to his manager, Mr. Francois Van As.
Congratulations Johannes, from all of us at EIT, and our heartfelt thanks also go to your wonderful support team.
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