Far from home, refugee thrives in land of the brave

Prudence Ndihokubwayo has dedicated 15 years of service to Green Enterprise Solutions, where he currently leads the accounting department.

His life began in Burundi, passed through refugee camps, and today stands as a story of overcoming hardship and achieving professional success.

Born in Cibitoki, Burundi, in 1985, Ndihokubwayo grew up in a large family of nine children. His childhood was disrupted by the civil war in 1993, forcing the family to flee across several countries before eventually settling in Namibia.

At Osire Refugee Camp, he continued his education, completing his secondary education at Okakarara Secondary School and earning a degree in accounting from the University of Namibia (Unam).

Ndihokubwayo told Careers that his interest in numbers guided his career choice, and becoming an accountant felt like fulfilling a lifelong ambition.

“I enjoyed numbers, so doing accounting was a dream come true,” he said.  

As a refugee, however, he faced many obstacles, including the struggle to afford basic needs while studying.

Yet, he recalls those years with gratitude for the support he received. “Being a refugee and going to university was a privilege and, at the same time, difficult because accommodation, transport and school fees were a nightmare,” he said.

“But thanks to God, people came through and rendered the needed support, and I will forever be grateful for the support I received,” he added.

Money was always tight, Ndihokubwayo said, while acknowledging that this is a difficulty most students experience. “As most students experience, finance was the most challenging difficulty. Most of the time, I had to walk to Unam,” he said.

At Green Enterprise Solutions, he has steadily advanced through the ranks. His commitment and consistency earned him recognition and responsibility. Speaking about his professional growth, Ndihokubwayo said it was shaped by persistence. “My career progressed from being a bookkeeper to being an accounting lead,” he said.  

Today, Ndihokubwayo encourages young Namibians to remain focused and optimistic, with determination being key. “Always be positive and work toward your goals,” he said.