Money Matters a Publication of
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Banking made easier, Create the pearl that Helping you get safer and smarter you want to be through challenging times pg07 pg11 pg17 Compiled by: Joanne Liechti; Yvonne Amukwaya and Deodine Cloete Photo: Yvonne Amukwaya Money Matters A Publication of ... today. Tomorrow. For a lifetime. 25 June 2015 2 Money Matters ... Today. Tomorrow. For a lifetime Foreword Investments First female-owned asset management company sets the trend n YVONNE AMUKWAYA projects requiring funding of more than N$200 billion as per NDP4 in the fields pearheading the first female-owned of energy, transport, education, water and institutional asset management company, telecommunication. SRehoboth born Catherine Cupido is a “Government and banks cannot do it on leader in her own right. their own,” she stated. A shareholder and the chief executive “So specialised fund managers such as Dear Reader officer of Mergence Namibia, like everyone ourselves can play an important role in else, Cupido also has a story to tell. providing debt or equity funding to projects would like to thank The Namibian for inviting From a receptionist to CEO, Cupido is and unlisted entities, as well as playing a me to write the foreword for this special proof that hard work, dedication and ambition pivotal role in the successful implementation Ipublication focused on finances, on behalf pay off. of public-private partnerships between of Ndapunikwa Investments and Sneefel Media The first born of three children, Cupido Government and the private sector,” explained Productions. grew up on a farm. At the age of 18, she was Cupido. We produce socially responsible and already married and had her first child at the Cupido said the fact that Mergence Namibia educational film, radio, print media and training age of 19. is a women-owned and run organisation is a seminars focussed on financial literacy, health, the She completed her secondary education at non-issue. public sector and the property industry. The topics Concordia High School after she managed to “Firstly, the fact that we’re a company ???????????????????? covered in this publication are very near and secure a bursary. owned and run by Namibian women does dear to my heart, having gained experience in the In 1996 Cupido started working as a not detract from our ability to successfully implement the same investment philosophy areas of stockbroking, investment management, receptionist at Allan Gray. With only her In a broader sense, with our of being socially responsible investors whilst insurance and banking over the past 12 years. I am matric certificate then, it was not long before she worked her way up to the position of focus on community uplift- making a return on investment for investors as excited to share some of what I have learned over portfolio administrator within the same year. ment through infrastructure our key partners in South Africa,” she said. the years with you. “I did my BCom Financial Management Secondly, Cupido stressed, “We are also This special financial publication deals with majoring in Risk, Strategy and Financial development, we will also as highly qualified and experienced as any of everything from microlending, savings and debt Management at Unisa while I was a be empowering women our male counterparts in the financial sector in management, to mobile apps and the buying and receptionist. When the position was advertised Namibia. We absolutely have what it takes.” selling of shares. Many of us have questions about I applied and enrolled for my BCom as it was in small businesses within During the launch of Mergence Namibia how to manage our finances, what to expect from a requirement to have the qualification,” she their own communities. last year October, Director General of National the economy and most importantly, how to create explained. Planning Commission Tom Alweendo wealth and keep it growing. As fate would have it, Cupido was given - Catherine Cupido expressed his gratitude towards Mergence for This special publication covers all this and a few months to prove herself and she did. having infrastructure development as a focus more, from the viewpoints of various financial ”I gave the position my best shot and eight the laws of Namibia and is supervised by the area for investment. market leaders to those of experts in the provision months later I was officially appointed. I also Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory He also expressed his appreciation for the of financial services. This information serves to finished my degree while I was at Allan Gray” Authority (Namfisa). fact that they are rewriting history by being the introduce readers to key themes of interest for she shared. It is a subsidiary of specialist boutique asset first Namibian women-owned and women-run participants in the local and international financial Cupido worked for Allan Gray for eight manager, Mergence Investment Managers in fund manager in Namibia and that a person’s markets. years before she moved to Johannesburg. South Africa. gender does not determine their capabilities. As you read through all the valuable There she served in roles such as the head of Mergence Investment Managers forms part Asked what legacy she wants to leave contributions in this publication, keep in mind that risk and finance and operations manager at of the Mergence Africa Holdings Group which behind, an outspoken Cupido said, “Making saving isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. RMB Asset Management and STANLIB Asset was started by Masimo Magerman and Izak investment history. We share the vision on Managing finances requires patience, Managers in Johannesburg respectively and Peterson 10 years ago, with starting capital of woman empowerment.” consistency, product knowledge, and a great also served as a member of their executive, only N$ 5 000 and now manages more than “We’ll leave a legacy, showing that women deal of curiosity about the prevailing local and risk and audit committees. N$ 22 billion in assets under management. can hold their own in the financial services sector at a senior management and owner international economic environment. Altogether Cupido gained 18 years of “Clients are institutional, covering the entire level,” she added. For those who are just starting, it may take extensive experience in the financial services financial services industry (such as pension sector with a specific interest in fund A force that looks up to her mother-in-law, work, and there will be a learning curve. But or retirement funds, provident funds and the management, all the while attending to her insurance industry),” stated Cupido. Bella Cupido, as a role model, Cupido said the rewards will far outweigh the required effort duties as a mother of three children. Mergence Namibia’s focus is on that she also aspires to be a role model for and benefit both your personal and professional After returning to Namibia in 2013, Cupido infrastructure development and social younger women. life. There is no time like the present to take the worked as a fund manager for VPB Namibia investment initiatives that will result in “In a broader sense, with our focus on first step by reading and enjoying this month’s before taking up the position of CEO of superior risk adjusted returns for long-term community upliftment through infrastructure submissions. Mergence Unlisted Investment Managers investors whilst supporting the development development, we will also be empowering I trust you will find them to be enlightening, (Namibia), a company whose ethos of of both social and economic infrastructure women in small businesses within their own thought provoking, and that they provide you with ‘Creating Shared Value’ she shares. services. communities,” she added. ideas on how best to navigate the numerous and Clearly passionate about contributing to The Mergence Namibia Infrastructure According to her, the roll-out of Mergence exciting economic opportunities developing in the financial sector, Cupido said she aims Trust Fund forms part of Mergence’s suite of Namibia’s infrastructure fund will create jobs, Namibia as we speak. to do this by providing opportunities for the infrastructure and impact funds. uplift communities and improve the lives of a growth of the economy and to serve as a role According to her, the Fund will invest significant number of households. Best regards. model for other women aspiring to become across transport, communication, utilities and Currently pursuing her MBA, Cupido stated Dantagos Jimmy-Melani successful within the financial sector. renewable energy opportunities via unlisted that the most important legacy they would like Ndapunikwa Investments Mergence Unlisted Investment Managers investments, in line with Vision 2030. to leave is that the company lived an ethos of (Namibia) is approved and registered under Cupido said Namibia has infrastructure creating shared value for all. Which fund oers me superior growth and return over a longer period? LET’S TALK OLD MUTUAL GROWTH FUND “This fund is suited for the longer term investor wishing to benefit from the wealth creation activities of Namibian and South African companies that show potential for superior growth”. SMS OMUT to 65656 or e-mail us at [email protected] or contact you Personal Financial Adviser or Broker. REPRO_Namibian_Ad 6/19/15 5:09 PM Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Money Matters ... Today. Tomorrow. For a lifetime 3 25 June 2015 Investments projects requiring funding of more than N$200 billion as per NDP4 in the fields of energy, transport, education, water and telecommunication. “Government and banks cannot do it on their own,” she stated. “So specialised fund managers such as ourselves can play an important role in providing debt or equity funding to projects and unlisted entities, as well as playing a pivotal role in the successful implementation of public-private partnerships between Government and the private sector,” explained Cupido.