When Gustav Nghipuilepo did not obtain the marks needed to study law straight after Grade 12, he had to find another way to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.
Instead of giving up or enrolling for a degree he was not passionate about, he chose to study for a diploma in local government, knowing it could open the door to the law programme he had always wanted to pursue.
Today, Nghipuilepo has graduated with an LLB honours degree, having completed the four-year programme while running his business and contributing towards his own education.
“Despite the obstacles, inasmuch as I didn’t have the sufficient marks that allowed me to immediately, fresh out of school, go to LLB, I had to step down and do a diploma while running my business,” he says.
Nghipuilepo says he carefully considered his options before deciding to take the diploma route.
He did not want to spend years studying towards another degree before returning to his original dream.
He completed his two-year diploma in local government and qualified for admission to the LLB programme.
The journey, however, came with its own challenges, particularly as his business grew and demanded more of his time.
During his first and second years of studying law, Nghipuilepo says he managed most of his business through phone calls and emails, while his workshop employees handled tasks according to his instructions.
But by his third and fourth years, customer requests had increased, making it difficult to balance his studies and business responsibilities.
He says he initially arranged to meet clients on Fridays because his classes ran from Monday to Thursday.
However, the growing workload eventually forced him to miss some classes to attend to customers. Despite the pressure, he remained determined to complete his degree within the expected four years.
“I told myself that I’ll never miss the test and examination, inasmuch as I’m pushing a business,” he says.
Nghipuilepo says he would set aside two to three weeks to focus on examinations, although he sometimes struggled to stay away from business matters even during study breaks.
Financing his studies was another challenge. Nghipuilepo says his father paid most of his education expenses, including his business.
He received financial assistance through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund during his diploma studies but was not a beneficiary during his final year of law school.
“I did do my part in terms of contributing to my own school fees,” he says, adding that his business allowed him to contribute towards his education.
His journey shows that failing to meet the initial requirements for a dream does not necessarily mean the dream has to be abandoned. For Nghipuilepo, the diploma was not the end of his ambition, but the stepping stone that eventually led him to law school.
Nghipuilepo’s close friend, Helvyan Naruses, describes him as a young, hardworking and self-motivated man from Walvis Bay who has always had a passion for business from a young age despite everything he faced along the way.
“Having explored different business ventures, he eventually found his footing with Panustos Trading. The business is built on a clear vision and is run professionally, with respect for clients, good service and a high standard of punctuality.”
Beyond business, Nghipuilepo values his family and friends and enjoys spending time with his loved ones, Naruses says.
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