“You can only be successful if you make others successful”

As Gondwana Collection Namibia continues to grow, the company recognises that organisational growth must be matched with skills growth.

This commitment has led to the launch of an in-house development initiative: the ‘Train the Trainer’ programme.

Held recently at Moonraker Outdoor Adventure Rest Camp, this year’s first session brought together 12 participants from management, supervisory, and operational levels across the company.

While Gondwana Collection already has colleagues with industry knowledge and hands-on experience in all operational departments, the company acknowledges that technical expertise alone does not necessarily translate into the ability to transfer skills effectively and sustainably.

Train the Trainer was designed to bridge this gap by equipping leaders with the pedagogical tools, self-awareness, and methodologies required to pass on knowledge with impact.

The three-day training was facilitated by Ume Goldbeck, a leadership coach with more than 14 years’ experience in facilitation, and Stefan Klaussner, a specialist in organisational and leadership development and psychological safety.

Together, they crafted a programme that combines deep self-reflection with practical teaching methodology.

The first day took participants on a journey inward, exploring their personalities, lived experiences, and how these shape their leadership and teaching styles.

“Before we can train others, we should try to understand ourselves – because in training we aim to change behaviour, and for that we need to understand what factors drive behaviour within us,” Goldbeck says.

“Our goal is to support each of these leaders to recognise their influence and refine how they share their knowledge.”

Day two introduced participants to neuroscience and the science of learning, highlighting that the ability to learn remains intact regardless of age.

The group examined how the brain forms new connections and what motivates individuals to embrace change.

Discussions also focused on how trainers can enable motivation in others and foster a culture of continuous learning.

In addition, the group discussed the relevance and effects of psychological safety – a safe atmosphere in which reflecting and learning can unfold.

The third day was devoted to teaching methodologies, with a strong emphasis on pedagogy – the art and science of how people learn.

Through interactive exercises and group work, participants experimented with different methods of instruction, from hands-on demonstrations to storytelling and reflective dialogue.

The aim was to equip them with adaptable tools for training colleagues in diverse operational settings.

The programme does not end here.

A second three-day session is planned for November at Moonraker, where participants will reconvene to share feedback, refine their approaches, and deepen their understanding of Gondwana Collection’s training philosophy.

By then, many will have applied their new skills within their teams, providing real-world insights to enrich the collective learning journey.

Ultimately, the vision is to develop a distinct training approach rooted in the company’s values, responsive to its diverse workforce, and aligned with its mission of sustainable tourism.

By investing in leaders as trainers, Gondwana Collection is creating a ripple effect that strengthens its internal talent pipeline and ensures skills are shared across the organisation.

“Leadership is not just about guiding teams,” says Goldbeck. “It’s about leaving behind a legacy of knowledge others can build on. That is what Train the Trainer is all about.”

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