New guides join Gondwana’s ‘diamond’ family

Gondwana Collection Namibia has marked a significant milestone by celebrating the graduation of a new cohort of local guides, professionalising the industry and empowering local talent.

The company celebrated the occasion at the Weinberg in Windhoek on 3 December.

Among those present were senior management, training providers, and representatives from the national regulatory body, symbolising a strong commitment to partnership, skills development and community-based tourism.

In her opening remarks, group human resources manager Jana Burger congratulated the graduates on their dedication, hard work and discipline throughout the training programme.

She emphasised that the new guides are not merely graduates – they are ambassadors of Gondwana’s ethos and of Namibia’s heritage: “You join the family of Gondwana as ambassadors of our promise; to show visitors the beauty of Namibia with pride, respect, and professionalism,” she said, urging the graduates to carry forward not only knowledge but also respect for the land, its people and their shared values.

Silke Ahrens, learning and development manager at Gondwana, thanked all partners, mentors and stakeholders who contributed to the programme.

She hailed the graduation as “proof that when public-private partnership meets commitment, real transformation happens”, and congratulated the participants for reaching this important milestone.

From the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), manager of research and planning, Indongo Indongo spoke about the vital importance of collaboration between government institutions, training bodies and industry stakeholders.

He argued that integrating locally trained guides into the tourism sector is key to inclusive economic development – not only does it build capacity, but it also grants local communities dignity, ownership and real opportunity.

Local guides, he said, are “investments not only in skills, but in dignity, ownership and a future where tourism benefits local communities”.

On behalf of the training provider Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (Nath), board chairperson Martin Wilkinson addressed the graduates, urging them to lead with “authentic professionalism, integrity and ethics”.

He reminded them that being a guide is more than pointing out landscapes or wildlife: it is about building trust, respect, and meaningful experiences and carrying the name of Namibia with dignity.

Ronald Basson awarded the top-performing graduates.

He expressed deep gratitude to all entities involved for enabling the training programme and closed with a resonant message to the cohort: “If you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life.”

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Mannfred Goldbeck, the executive director of brand and marketing.

He reflected on the broader learning ecosystem at Gondwana, likening the graduates to raw diamonds – newly unearthed, glittering with potential, but not yet fully polished.

“With time, experience and dedication, you will shine,” he said, stressing that the graduation is not just the end of a training programme, but the beginning of a journey to excellence.

The graduation adds to a growing legacy of Gondwana’s investment in skills development and community upliftment.

The apprenticeship programme, in collaboration with the NTA and Nath, is designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical guiding skills, thereby strengthening the capacity of Namibia’s tourism sector while ensuring that locals benefit directly from the country’s natural heritage.

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