Go4Gold Marks Six Years of Leadership Development

Gondwana Collection Namibia hosted its sixth Go4Gold final celebration yesterday, marking the completion of one of the company’s flagship leadership development programmes for the 2025 cohort.

The Go4Gold programme, launched in 2019, has now trained 72 employees across the Gondwana group.

According to programme coordinator Ume Goldbeck, the initiative has grown beyond its internal objectives and has influenced the personal lives of participants, their colleagues and their families.

“It’s not just about developing employees it’s about helping people build self-leadership that carries over into their daily lives” Goldbeck said.

Go4Gold runs for one year and includes six leadership modules, 10 practical workplace assignments, and one major project that each participant implements.

The training focuses on four key areas: personal stability, people skills, perspective and the ability to execute tasks efficiently.

Goldbeck noted that while the programme outline may appear linear, the actual experience is more challenging.

“Many expect a straight, upward path. But in reality, it’s a difficult process with setbacks and moments where participants feel stuck,” she said.

Despite these difficulties, she said the growth is real and that the “messy parts” of the journey often bring the biggest breakthroughs.

In her address, Goldbeck said the success of the year-long projects should not be measured solely by traditional business outcomes.

“Some projects continue adding value for years. Others are relevant only in the moment. Some don’t work out at all,” she said.

“All three outcomes are acceptable in this programme. What matters is the courage to try, the discipline to complete the journey and the willingness to reflect honestly.”

The 2025 cohort presented a wide range of practical projects across the Gondwana network, including Lisa Labuschagne’s movement-tracking wellness app encouraging staff to log daily walks, Nabeela Gester’s drive to strengthen Go2 shuttle product knowledge through the Gondwana Online Academy platform, Michelle Rodgers’ roll-out of the EarthRanger system at Gondwana Canyon Park for improved environmental data, Clive !Haoseb’s sustainability project on food efficiency and responsible water use at Damara Mopane Lodge, Audrey Bock’s mental-health initiative introducing simple breathing and movement practices for workplace well-being, Nali Ndakeva’s guide-empowerment project aimed at deepening interpretation skills and turning knowledge into memorable guest experiences, and Aloicia Bougardt’s digital Stocktake app replacing manual, error-prone counts.

They were joined by Victor Mavungo, whose project on developing tomorrow’s kitchen leaders focused on discipline, cross-training and culinary excellence summed up in his key message: “What’s the point of not finishing and starting something new when you can continue what you started and build a legacy?”, Laimi Ivula, who introduced a daily drinks log at Etosha King Nehale that delivered a 6% cost reduction through tighter inventory control, and Marlene Orffer, who created ‘The Gondwana Story in Your Hand’, a correctable guidebook designed to strengthen understanding of both ‘Brand Gondwana’ and ‘Brand Namibia’.

Goldbeck also acknowledged the trainers, mentors and support staff who contribute to the programme, as well as the families who support participants during intense study and project phases.

Although the 2025 programme officially concludes with the final celebration, Goldbeck said the end-of-year event is not the end of the leadership development journey.

“Go out into the world, love your life and create your magic,” she said.

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