Young Businesswoman – lawyer with a passion to change the world, one case at a time
A young lawyer in her own practice, Esmerelda Katjaerua, was named the new Young Namibian Businesswoman of the Year, at a posh awards ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Safari Court Conference Centre in Windhoek.
The Young Namibian Businesswoman of the Year is chosen every second year by the same judges who adjudicate the main Namibian Businesswoman of the Year awards.
Support for Esmerelda was evident when a very vocal group of friends and family cheered her onto the stage as she was called to receive her certificate as one of the finalists. Striking a confident and dashing pose in her pale blue gown, the young lawyer stole the limelight as a short video showed the audience why she is already such a go-getter at such a young age.
Nominees for the Young Businesswoman category had to be 30 or younger as at 05 June this year.
The Young Businesswoman award followed after the announcement of the category winners in the main awards, and as a prelude to the announcement of the overall winner of the grand title, the Namibian Businesswoman of the Year 2017.
Setting the stage for the announcement of the new Young Businesswoman, Nangula Shejavali, a close friend and colleague of Tanya Stroh, the previous Young Businesswoman, read an inspiring message on Tanya’s behalf to guide the new recipient of the title. She also received the envelope from the awards auditors, PwC and had the honour of reading out Esmerelda’s name.
The young lawyer, only slightly overcome at first, then promptly delivered her own inspiring impromptu speech. She thanked the people who support her and who convinced her to go on her own earlier in the year.
Esmerleda’s career started in 2013 when she worked as a candidate legal practitioner under seasoned attorney, Mrs Elize Angula. After writing her admittance exams at the Justice Training Centre at the University of Namibia, she continued working for the firm for three years as a litigation legal practitioner. In 2016, Esmerelda became a director at AngulaCo. Incorporated.
In March 2017, she established Katjaerua Legal Practitioners, a small boutique law firm based in Windhoek. “I am the sole owner of the practice at the moment but I will be looking into getting partners as I believe in the concept of Strength in Numbers,” she said.
Her passion for her chosen career is amply demonstrated when she said “The world needs passionate lawyers, ones that change the law, the country and the world, one case at a time.”
