• By Patience Makwele

Namibian women are taking the lead in changing the narrative that the tech world belongs to men. Nashilongo Gervasius is one such trailblazing woman among the many across Namibia whose presence continues to ignite the digital tech world.

As the founder of NamTshuwe Digital, she is pioneering a people-centred, community-first approach to digital transformation in Namibia and beyond. “NamTshuwe Digital was born out of a passion to ensure digital transformation is people-centered and inclusive,” she shared. “I saw a critical gap in how underserved communities, especially women and youth, were accessing or not accessing digital tools and knowledge.”

For her, the name ‘NamTshuwe’ carries both legacy and mission. “NamTshuwe” means “to ignite,” but with a Nam and T Tech flavour. Also, ‘Natshuwe tsha Iita’ was my maternal great-grandmother. 

That’s exactly what we aim to do: ignite participation, skills, knowledge impartation, and advocacy in the digital space,” she expressed. While her work sits at a rare and powerful crossroads where media, technology, and public policy meet, she does not just work across these sectors but weaves them together intentionally to ensure balance and discipline to drive meaningful change. “It requires intentional alignment. 

Media influences perception, technology enables access, and policy shapes the ecosystem,” she explained, adding that by staying grounded in community needs while focusing on long-term impact, she works to ensure these sectors speak to each other, listen to one another, and consider each other’s perspectives in shaping the digital future. “The balance comes from understanding that sustainable change happens when all of them align,” she said.

With years of experience as a lecturer, advisor, and policy advocate, Nashilongo has cemented herself as a thought leader in digital equity, but her path hasn’t been without resistance. “There are persistent gender biases that often question your place in the room.
I’ve faced those moments, but I’ve navigated them by building alliances, staying committed to continuous learning, and showing up consistently.” Her leadership style is not just about being present but making space for others. “I’ve also focused on creating space for other women across several sectors of society; this ensures that we’re not alone in these conversations,” she explained.

At the heart of her work is a sense of confidence rooted in clarity and courage, which has shaped her leadership style. “Confidence
means having clarity of purpose and trusting your voice, even when it shakes,” she expressed. “It has enabled me to lead boldly, advocate for inclusion, and speak up in spaces where our voices are often missing,” she noted.

Among her proudest career moments, Nashilongo recalls hosting the YouthComm with ICANN and UNESCO. “It was amazing watching young people, especially young women, take the stage to shape policy conversations about technology that is consistently shaping the future,” she recalled. She also highlighted her role in producing an eight-country report on Online Gender-Based Violence in Southern Africa as a critical moment. “We had funding from Meta (formerly Facebook), and we had partners around the continent supporting the findings, the publications, and the launch with high-level Ministers in the four countries where we launched.”

Further adding to her proudest position as a national tech voice, Nashilongo was appointed by the late President Hage Geingob
to serve on the Presidential Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). “This affirmed that the voice and perspectives
for a digitally inclusive society are necessary. The government considered it important, and mostly the President and fellow leadership highly considered the need to consider the impact of technology on society beyond the benefits already seen,” she shared.

 These moments, according to Nashilongo, show that investing in inclusive platforms leads to the natural emergence of leadership. Adding that they have moved to engaging intentionally with diverse communities in the country and beyond about the need for common ground in the multi-stakeholder process of governing and living with technology, which has consistently affirmed its purpose.

To empower communities, especially women and youth, NamTshuwe Digital continues to evolve as a platform for empowerment.
“We focus on Technology Policy Research, facilitating Convenings in the name of Technology, Digital Literacy, Advocacy Training, Mentorship, and Community Storytelling,” she explained. Whether in boardrooms or village halls, her organization is equipping communities to own their digital futures.

“Whether it’s helping a rural youth understand digital rights or supporting women to lead local tech initiatives... our goal is to ensure communities are equipped and inspired to shape the digital future.”

American poet Audre Lorde once said, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from
my own.” 1 With resolve, purpose, and a belief in collective transformation, Nashilongo’s presence is not only liberating the digital
space but ensuring that women and youth carry the torch with her. To young African women aspiring to lead in the tech and policy world, Nashilongo offered grounded advice: “You don’t have to wait for permission; your leadership is needed now. Equip yourself, find your tribe, and build your voice.”

As she looks to the future, she is focused on growing NamTshuwe regionally and elevating Namibian voices on global platforms. “We have been doing some work in that regard, deepening our role as an organization but also bringing Namibian voices into continental and global tech governance spaces.” But beyond expansion, her true passion lies in mentorship. “Personally, mentoring the next generation of African women in digital leadership brings me the most joy.

The future is digital, but it must also be inclusive, ethical, and the African and Namibian voice must be heard,” she said.