More qualified brewers at NBL

Martin Kleopas and Tuhas Shikongo are accomplished brewers who have been part of Namibia Breweries for eight and 10 years respectively. After almost three years of practical and theoretical training, they both hold the qualifications of brewer and maltster in beer brewing and the preparation of barley to malted barley.
Shikongo, who went to school in former East Germany and later in Swakopmund, has been part of the world of brewing since his internship at Hansa Breweries and has never looked back since. He says: “Maths, biology and physical science are a prerequisite when considering this career path and German, of course, is an added advantage.”
Kleopas was born in northern Namibia and completed high school at the Ondangwa Senior Secondary School. Upon leaving school, he had numerous scholarship offers from various companies but he opted for Namibia Breweries.
Both Kleopas and Shikongo have a passion for their work and were asked to assist with the training of operators at the Sedibeng brewery in Johannesburg for one month last year; something which both enjoyed.
According to Christian Mueller, NBL’s master brewer: “It made us extremely proud to have our Namibian guys train technicians in South Africa in brewing our beers according to strict specifications.”
 “Being a brewer means shift work and during the day I am busy with a business admin degree at the Polytechnic and will also go for the Bavarian certified qualification in Brewing and Beverage Technology (Brew master) within the next year,” said Kleopas.
Shikongo will concentrate on his family at this stage, as he has a small son but says he might pursue more qualifications in the not so distant future.