Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu recently in Victoria Falls
FOR many students in Southern Africa, gaining practical work experience beyond their home borders can be a dream deferred.
However, the booming tourism industry in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, offers exciting opportunities, attracting interns from as far as Namibia.
De-Quelary Bock, a 20-year-old Namibian studying Tourism and Innovation Development at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), exemplifies this. During her second year, she landed a “wonderful” internship as a travel agent at Avril Tours and Lodges in Victoria Falls.
“I have met so many great people who are honestly so warm and welcoming,” Bock remarked to Saturday Chronicle.
Bock was surprised by the strong similarities in business practices and the emphasis on hospitality that she found in both Zimbabwe and her native Namibia. She noted a shared “drive to excel'” that resonated with her.
“It’s a broad industry where one can be able to spread their wings from Namibia to Zimbabwe, South Africa and all over Africa so there are plenty opportunities,” she said.
Bock’s internship wasn’t just about work; it was a cultural immersion. From picking up basic ChiShona phrases to experiencing the awe-inspiring Zambezi River boat cruise and the heart-stopping Victoria Falls gorge swing, she embraced the local culture.
These activities, she said, helped her gain “more appreciation of what Namibia or Windhoek can copy from a tourism hub like the Victoria Falls.”
In the end, Bock’s internship in Victoria Falls has proven to be a transformative experience that has expanded her personal and professional horizons.
As she nears the completion of her studies back home, she encourages other young people to “start doing business ventures” and “go out to meet people” in order to create new opportunities for themselves.
The success of Bock’s internship speaks to Victoria Falls’ reputation as a welcoming and vibrant tourism hub, one that is helping to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders across southern Africa. —@MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter