By Rinelda Mouton
Over the years former Rehoboth mayor and councillor Amanda Ludmilla Groenewaldt has inspired old and young through her actions, hard work, kindness and leadership. Coming from humble beginnings she showed what is possible when you face hard times with courage and vision. Having had to work hard to achieve success, Groenewaldt this week shares more about her life growing up, her ups and downs including her life experiences in politics.
Q: Tell us more about your life growing up?
A: I was born in Rehoboth in January 1961. I am the third daughter of my late parents Boela and Greta Freygang. I attended St Joseph’s Primary and Dr Lemmer High Schools in Rehoboth.
Q: Tell us more about your life?
A: I was married to Ernst Groenewaldt, a retired traffic officer, who later become a full time farmer. He passed away during Covid in 2021. I have three children – Hueston, Freygang and Ludmilla and eight grand children. My teaching career started after college as a Afrikaans and Science teacher at MH Greeff Primary School in Khomasdal, Windhoek. I was also teaching at schools Meerstromige and Otjozondu Primary. I retired as principal at Otjozondu Primary School. After retirement I moved to my hometown, Rehoboth and wanted to make a difference in politics.
Q: As a councillor and mayor what stood out for you?
A: I loved the facial expression and body language on a community member after coming for a problem or only to have a ear to hear and observe that the problem can be solved after few procedures are followed. I loved after community engagements that the public feel
that we as leaders listen to them.
Q: More women are getting into leadership roles, what is your view on that?
A: Because of our feminine qualities and characteristics we are good at problem solving. I think it’s a positive shift, because you can get a wider range of experience at the table and that leads to better decisions. Getting into this women role isn’t the whole story, the real test is whether cultures, workplaces also change around these roles. The system around us must also adopt it too.
Q: Being little girl did you picture yourself where you are today?
A: From a young age my only dream was to become a teacher. Being a teacher has helped me to care
for people – looking at their circumstances and to be active in community involvement.
Q: From your life experiences, what advice do you have for other women?
A: Be a strong women and believe in yourself. To be a career women is a privilege and it does not make you a bad mother. Our mothers were housewife, but the circumstances changed in life. Sometimes households needs two salaries to provide. As a mother listen to your children. Wives never belittle your husband before your children, does not matter the circumstances. As a woman never neglected yourself.
Q: Being where you are today has not being easy, how did you do it?
A: I always urge people to build skills that no one can take away. My husband and I started with nothing material only our qualifications. After our marriage we stayed with other people, but with hard work and commitment we brought our own house. During weekends we as a family went to our rented farms and stayed in corrugated houses. After a few years we bought our own farm with a loan from Agriculture bank. We sold our house and cars for the deposit of our farm. My husband left his work and started working as a full time farmer. I moved to a farm school as a teacher. Our children grew up in hostels. Only hardwork, perseverance, honesty and a vision helped us to become what we are today.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Traveling. Although it is very costly, but I enjoyed to discover new places, new cultures and new people. I love roosterbrood with butter or cream fresh from the farm.
Q: How do you spend your off time?
A: I like to play with my grandson’s dog named Zoe. I enjoy watching TV. I am constantly looking for a new challenge to renovate my house. I started with knitting again. I always busy looking for any new project to get community involvement.
Q: What do you like doing that most people don’t know.?
A: I like watching soapies and reading romance stories. I love dogs especially smaller breeds. I don’t like driving. I enjoy spending time at home.
Q: Besides your high professional positions, what type of person will you said you are?
A: I am a very ordinary, friendly, love laughing, warmhearted, cry easily, easy going and talkative person. I am resilient, direct and have a good sense of humour. Position is not important for me.
