• My Zone Careers

A bright light

- 2022-09-23 00:00:00

Born and bred in Windhoek, Gertruida Losper started her education at Gammams Primary School and then completed grade eight at Ella Du Plessis High School.

After her parents moved to Vryburg, South Africa, she completed grades nine through eleven at Colinda High School.

On their return to Namibia, she completed grade 12 at David Bezuidenhout High School in Windhoek.

In 1986, she completed her higher education diploma at the University of Namibia (Unam).

"I grew up in a house of eleven children. It was always a house full of laughter and teasing.

My father worked in construction and my mother was a cook. Not only did my father construct buildings, but he also constructed our lives in the best way possible," Losper said.

As part of her accomplishments, and challenges, she listed working several different jobs while studying.

Her jobs ranged from working as a packer at Shoprite to a teller at Standard Bank.

It wasn’t easy, but she persevered.
New ideas
After completing her studies, she worked as a teacher for 26 years, which helped her to prepare for her current role.
“I did more than what was expected of me. I worked with teachers, adults, parents and learners on different occasions.”
This has helped her to facilitate change by exposing teachers to new ideas and more effective practices.
Part of her work is to “establish a network of resourceful persons to assist teachers and schools,” Losper said.
One of her short-term goals is for the resource centre to become a place where teachers can come to share best practices.
Losper wants to create a database and website filled with lessons from local teachers, to help other teachers.
Among her proudest achievements, is seeing a learner who she had taught, excelling at life.
Different seasons
A typical day for Losper entails waking up between four and five in the morning, attending to unfinished tasks, and going to work. When she returns home, she usually cooks and catches up on her favourite series.
She still enjoys hobbies today that she enjoyed as a child, including reading and watching movies.
Her best childhood memory is growing up in a house where one could love, laugh and cry but, most importantly, sharing these little moments with the ones she loves.
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, she said it would be to learn how to say no and taking good care of herself.
Her piece of advice is that life is a series of seasons.
“It is easy to get discouraged during a difficult season, but no season lasts forever. So always believe in yourself and make the best of what you can.”


10 facts about Losper:

- I love my family so much that I will do anything for them.
- Believe it or not, I’m a shy person.
- I like order.
- I will always put other people before me.
- I cry easily, even when a watch a movie
- I easily trust and believe the best in people.
- What people think of me is important if it builds my character.
- I like a quiet atmosphere.