Conversation Leadership – NACSO

Skip to content

Get Involved（https://nacso.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NACSO-membership-application_form.pdf）

Conversation Leadership

Donald Hamer Conservation Leadership Programme

The two year Donald Hamer Conservation Leadership Programme began in 2012 with the initiative to train young enthusiastic Namibian graduates to become future leaders in the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) sector. Since the beginning of the programme, fourteen interns have been mentored, trained and found jobs in NGOs, the private sector, the MEFT, while others pursued further studies.

The programme is named in memory of the benefactor, Donald Hamer, via the Hamer Foundation. The Hamer funding for the programme comes through WWF Namibia.

2025 CLP Interns

Frieda Nyau

Noah Nuugulu

Frieda Nyau is from Oshigambo, a rural village in the Oshikoto Region of northern Namibia. She holds an Honours Degree in Regional and Rural Development from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Her academic background and rural upbringing have sparked deep-rooted passions for community empowerment, sustainable development and natural resource conservation. These passions informed her choice of study, underpinned by a strong belief that rural communities should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives and the natural environment. During her academic journey, Frieda developed a keen interest in community-based conservation approaches. She came to appreciate how local stewardship of natural resources can lead to both improved livelihoods and the preservation of biodiversity. Her passion lies in supporting initiatives that combine environmental sustainability with social equity, ensuring that conservation benefits both nature and people. Through the Conservation Leadership Programme, Frieda hopes to deepen her practical understanding of Namibia’s CBNRM framework, strengthen her skills in community engagement and contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts on the ground. Her long-term vision is to play a leading role in shaping sustainable rural development initiatives that empower communities to protect and benefit from their natural resources. She brings strong communication and organisational abilities, a heart for people and a genuine commitment to learning and growing as a conservation leader.

She believes in the power of communities to protect what they have and is excited to be part of a programme that places them at the centre of environmental stewardship.

Noah was born and raised in Windhoek, Khomas Region, and holds both a Bachelor’s and an Honours Degree in Natural Resources Management from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Inspired by a close friend passionate about nature, he chose this field to contribute to environmental sustainability and community empowerment in Namibia.

Noah’s career goal is to become a leader in the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) sector, helping ensure the long-term sustainability of our natural resources while promoting the well-being of local communities. He has hands-on experience in field data collection, research and report writing, and is deeply committed to environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

The CLP internship represents an ideal opportunity to build on his practical experience and develop the leadership and technical skills needed to make a lasting impact in conservation. He is eager to learn, collaborate with diverse teams and contribute meaningfully to the goals of environmental stewardship and community development.

2024 CLP Interns

Kado Mushavanga

Kakuputarua Kamaendo

Kado Mushavanga is from a small village called Omega 1 in the Kavango East Region in the Bwabwata National Park. She is from the Khwedam speaking marginalised community. Kado holds an honours degree in Tourism Management from the University of Namibia. Having been born and raised inside a park, she always had a deep appreciation and an urge to learn more about the natural environment. She has also always been a traveller at heart, wondering what was out there beyond the horizon. So, when the time came for her to study at a tertiary level, she was decisive in choosing a course that would shape her career path and was in-line with the two things that she loved the most – the natural environment and travelling. Being fresh out of university, Kado believes that the Conservation Leadership Programme will give her first-hand, practical experience on the things that she studied. The CLP is an opportunity to broaden her understanding about field work and training, conservation principles and governance, and to gain leadership and management skills, as well as community engagement and collaboration, networking, and professional development. Kado is a youth that is very enthusiastic and eager to learn, which she believes makes her a reliable asset for the CLP and the CBNRM community. In the past Kado volunteered for the Kyaramacan Association to help them with secretarial tasks, while the position of Secretary was vacant and also assisted with the preparation of their 2020/2021 AGM.

.

Kakuputarua Kamaendo was born and bred in the Otuzemba Conservancy in the Kunene Region. His love and passion for nature led to him giving himself the nickname ‘Okuti,’ which means nature in Otjiherero. Kakuputarua enrolled in 2016 in the Namibia University of Science and Technology to study a Bachelors of Tourism Management. The following year he changed his course of study to a Bachelors of Natural Resource Management, after realising the qualification and skills in natural resource management would help him fulfil his childhood dream. He is passionate about the CBNRM sector and improving the livelihoods of local communities who live with precious natural resources, but do not benefit enough from them. He fiercely believes that Namibia’s natural resources are abundant enough for local people to live well, if good leadership is put in place. As he joins the Donald Hammer Conservation Leadership Programme at NACSO, Kakuputarua looks forward to fulfilling his childhood dream of promoting nature conservation while helping local communities benefit from their natural resources. He will also use his internship as a learning opportunity and as an opportunity to network with key individuals in the CBNRM field for build a brighter future.

2023 CLP Interns

Josephine Amwaalwa

Margret Hasheela

Josephine Amwaalwa is an ecologist at heart and she was born and raised in Windhoek. She earned her honours degree in Natural Resources Management from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. From an early age, her visits to her grandmother in the northern part of Namibia sparked a fascination and interest for the natural world and its critters. Josephine’s passion lies in research and finding nature-based solutions to conservation issues. From the Donald Hamer Conservation Leadership Program internship, she expects to gain a deeper understanding of the practicalities of different solutions for improving human-wildlife co-existence. Her curiosity and love for nature are ultimately what fuels her enthusiasm to keep exploring different conservation perspectives.

Margret Hasheela comes from a small village in Oshana Region in Northern Namibia. She has an Honors Degree in Communications from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Margret is passionate about conserving the environment in a sustainable manner for the benefit of current and future generations. She feels grounded in nature and looks forward to telling her future children about how the work she does helps conserve wildlife and wild places. Margret has a keen interest in Communication for Development and ensuring that the voices of the people living in communities are heard and that development efforts are community-centric. She is a 4th year Bachelor of Law (LLB) student with a particular interest in the role that the law and policy can play in ensuring that development efforts build on the national development agenda of inclusivity and shared prosperity. She looks forward to working alongside CBNRM experts and practitioners with a shared passion for community conservation.

2022 CLP Interns

Soini Shatilue

Victoria Hailapa

Soini Shatilue: is from the Oshana region in northern Namibia. She graduated from the University of Namibia (UNAM) with a degree in Tourism Management and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). Through her studies, she learnt that tourism is multifaceted and therefore does not only focus on travelling for pleasure but also touches on other areas such as environmental protection and CBNRM. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Conservation Leadership Programme, which gives her the chance not only to enhance her interpersonal skills and grow at both the individual and professional level but also to assist communities in practising community-based tourism. She will use her knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to communities around Namibia by enhancing their way of living, protecting the environment and natural resources. Her goal is to encourage others to engage in environmental activities.

.

Victoria Hailapa : was born and raised in the Ohangwena Region. She holds a Bachelor of Regional and Rural Development (Honours) from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Having been exposed to both urban and rural environments, she enrolled in this field of study to contribute to and elevate the development of rural areas in Namibia. Through her field of study, she was exposed to subjects such as natural resource management, GIS, spatial planning, economic development, and community work. She brings experience in data collection, entry and management, research and report writing. Victoria believes that we only have one earth and that we should conserve our natural resources for ourselves and future generations. She is excited about the Conservation Leadership Programme and believes it will contribute to her personal growth while making a meaningful impact in Namibia’s rural communities through the CBNRM programme. During the two-year internship, she plans to work hard, network and learn as much as possible.: is from Oshana region in northern Namibia. She graduated from the University of Namibia (UNAM) with a degree in Tourism Management and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). Through her studies she learnt that Tourism is multifaceted and therefore does not only focus on travelling for pleasure but also touches on other areas such as environmental protection and CBNRM. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Conservation Leadership Programme, giving her an opportunity not only to enhance her interpersonal skills and grow at both the individual and professional level, but also assist communities to practice community-based tourism. She will use her knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to communities around Namibia in enhancing their way of living and protecting the environment as well as natural resources. Her goal is to encourage and raise awareness to others to engage in environmental activities.

2021 CLP Interns

Albertina Fillipus

Sunnypo Imalwa

Albertina Fillipus is a detail-oriented young conservation enthusiast from Ohangwena Region. She holds a Bachelor and Honours Degrees in Natural Resources Management and also currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in the same field from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.