Volunteer work leads to university finance job
Born and raised in Oshakati, Paulus Katuta has built a career defined by self-motivation and excellence.
Today, he serves as a finance officer at the University of Namibia (Unam), working in the Office of the Bursar to provide essential financial support services. His role includes managing student financial enquiries, processing refunds, preparing fee invoices and ensuring compliance across all financial processes.
Katuta’s trajectory as a Unam staff member can be traced back to 2022 when he worked as a volunteer student assistant during the registration period.
He started by handling telephone enquiries, but his curiosity soon led him to explore the inner workings of the bursary office. Going beyond his assigned duties, he quickly became a valued team member, progressing from volunteer to paid assistant and eventually to his current role.
“Finance has always made sense to me, not just the numbers, but the way it connects decisions, strategy and impact,” he says. For Katuta, finance is not just about money; it’s about enabling progress and creating opportunities.
Outside his work at Unam, Katuta has made an impact through the African Pathfinder Leaders Initiative (APLI), where he advanced from fellow to finance and partnership associate.
Courage and integrity
In this role, he supports budgeting, financial planning and partnership development for youth-led initiatives, aligning his skills with his passion for community development.
For him, leadership in finance rests on courage, responsibility, interest and integrity – qualities that ensure bold, ethical, and informed decision-making. His advice to young professionals is simple: “Start where you are, use what you have, and elevate it... no one is coming to save you.”
Looking ahead, Katuta aims to keep growing and mentoring others and hopes to leave a legacy of transformation.
“I want to be remembered as someone who consistently delivered excellent customer service and got the job done with precision and care,” he says.
Today, he serves as a finance officer at the University of Namibia (Unam), working in the Office of the Bursar to provide essential financial support services. His role includes managing student financial enquiries, processing refunds, preparing fee invoices and ensuring compliance across all financial processes.
Katuta’s trajectory as a Unam staff member can be traced back to 2022 when he worked as a volunteer student assistant during the registration period.
He started by handling telephone enquiries, but his curiosity soon led him to explore the inner workings of the bursary office. Going beyond his assigned duties, he quickly became a valued team member, progressing from volunteer to paid assistant and eventually to his current role.
“Finance has always made sense to me, not just the numbers, but the way it connects decisions, strategy and impact,” he says. For Katuta, finance is not just about money; it’s about enabling progress and creating opportunities.
Outside his work at Unam, Katuta has made an impact through the African Pathfinder Leaders Initiative (APLI), where he advanced from fellow to finance and partnership associate.
Courage and integrity
In this role, he supports budgeting, financial planning and partnership development for youth-led initiatives, aligning his skills with his passion for community development.
For him, leadership in finance rests on courage, responsibility, interest and integrity – qualities that ensure bold, ethical, and informed decision-making. His advice to young professionals is simple: “Start where you are, use what you have, and elevate it... no one is coming to save you.”
Looking ahead, Katuta aims to keep growing and mentoring others and hopes to leave a legacy of transformation.
“I want to be remembered as someone who consistently delivered excellent customer service and got the job done with precision and care,” he says.
