Haufiku joins MVA Fund
Turning mistakes into opportunities for leadership and growth
John Haufiku's 14-year career has been marked by his passion for impacting the lives of ordinary Namibians.
On 3 June, John Haufiku joined the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund as the chief of corporate affairs, marking a significant step for the fund. Describing himself as an idealist and creative, Haufiku is driven by a passion for impacting the lives of ordinary Namibians. His 14-year career, mainly in higher education, consists of roles such as director of corporate engagement and internationalisation at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and acting director of corporate engagement and international relations at the University of Namibia (Unam).
His expertise spans social sciences, focusing on communications, rhetoric, culture, human behaviour and decision-making. He holds a master’s degree in communications and international public relations from the National University of Science and Technology in Moscow, Russia, alongside an honours degree in public relations and industrial psychology, and a diploma in information studies from Unam. Additionally, he has interests in data science, design thinking, additive manufacturing and innovation.
Haufiku has managed strategies to counter crises such as illegal protests, legal strikes and propagandist campaigns throughout his career. His leadership style is people-centered, aiming to enable self-actualisation, empowerment and well-being among his team.
High-performance culture
Two months into his role, he describes the MVA Fund as “a well-organised and fast-paced performance-driven organisation that prioritises regular engagement between management and staff, driving a high-performance culture".
"I am honoured to be associated with the fund,” he added.
“I generally perform at my best when I have context, as I am someone who always looks at the bigger picture," Haufiku said.
His daily inspiration comes from a quote by Native American chief Tecumseh: “Live your life in such a way that the fear of death never enters your heart". He believes in leading a life of service and pursuing perfection in all aspects.
Haufiku plans to use his academic and professional expertise to advance the fund’s mission, adopting innovative strategies and fostering stakeholder cooperation. Reflecting on his first 30 days, he acknowledged his initial lack of knowledge about the broader MVA Fund and third-party insurance, but highlights the immense knowledge he gained quickly while in the role.
"Every failure serves as a seed in the garden of experience," Haufiku said. "Every stumble and fall teach us a valuable lesson, and every mistake provides an opportunity to lead. Embrace each error as a tutor, and let every unsuccessful trial give way to new knowledge."