MVA CEO has big dreams

Justicia Shipena

Hailing from the northern part of Namibia, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku was born in Rundu and has four siblings.

Martins-Hausiku matriculated from Etosha High School, which is located in Tsumeb, in 1999. In 2003 she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Namibia (Unam).

Afterwards she started working and took 12 months leave in 2007 to complete a Master of Arts in Cultural and Media Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. Then in 2010, she obtained a Master in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa (Unisa) School of Business Leadership in Midrand, South Africa.

Martins-Hausiku told Careers that the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund) was established to provide benefits for injured persons and dependants of those killed in motor vehicle crashes primarily, as well as to design, develop and implement crash and injury-prevention programmes.

She said that in carrying out this mandate they have adopted a continuum that starts with crash prevention, and if all else fails, they ensure there is the provision of an emergency medical response to pick up the injured. They also ensure the injured are transported to medical facilities where they receive medical treatment and in and out of hospital rehabilitation.

“The process is then concluded with life enhancement interventions such as house and vehicle modifications, the provision of assistive devices and rehabilitation to return to work, school or independence,” she said.

Her duties are to provide strategic direction, leadership and staff alignment to the vision, ensuring that the fund has the required human and financial resources, while also ensuring that risks inherent in such an environment are mitigated or managed.

She said it has been an exciting journey, with mountain-top experiences as well as valley moments.

“Nobody is born a CEO; I had to learn on-the-job, firstly how to lead such a young, dynamic and diverse team and ensure that all these traits are harnessed towards achieving our vision,” she said.

Martins-Hausiku said she had to learn how to relate to her board and ensure that at the end of the day they deliver beyond the call of duty.

She added the MVA Fund offers an environment where one learns on a daily basis, and because they are fast-paced, one has to transform the way you think and your view the world, otherwise the pace will frustrate you.

“I guess that is what keeps me on my toes. I have grown as a person and as a professional,” she said.

Some of her accomplishments are the awards that were bestowed upon her, such as being inducted as a Laureate into the Namibia Hall of fame in 2014, the Economist Business Woman Award in the community/government category in 2015, receiving the Namibia Institute of People Management Award in 2015 and the Africa Women Conference Inspiring Women Award in 2017.

Martins-Hausiku believes the challenges she has faced are common for most ‘execu-moms’, specifically the issue of work/life balance - giving just the right dose of attention to work, family and herself.

When it comes to MVA Fund is most proud of it eventually achieving 100% solvency in 2016 for an organisation that has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in deficits for over two decades; thus they have gone further to strengthen their financial position.

“Our customer satisfaction levels, as measured by independent consultants, have consistently been above 85 % for the past five years,” she said.

The MVA Fund was also awarded the Best Company to Work for award for two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016, as well as the GIMAC African Gender Award for the public enterprise that advances and invests in programmes/development for women in 2018.

She added that two months ago the organisation collected yet another Diamond PMR award.

“These accolades for me mean that even in our imperfections, there is something that MVA Fund is doing right,” she said.

Being a mother, wife, executive and a part-time student, her typical day is loaded with activities, starting with preparing breakfast for her family in the morning. After she knocks off, she makes sure to jog at least four times a week or go to the gym. Her evenings are filled with preparing dinner, while helping her children with homework, and lastly, going through her books and reading meeting documents.

Martins-Hausiku urges young aspiring people out there that where you come from is part of your rich history and it is a point of reference, whether it is good or bad. However, do not let it limit your future.

She added that her father believes in excellence and he always encouraged her that if she has to do something, she has to do it well, otherwise don’t do it at all.

“I have enrolled as a part-time student to gain technical skills for the next chapter in my life,” she said.

She concluded by adding: “Watch this space, as the future holds many great things.” Besides being in the office, she enjoys reading, music, baking and cooking.

Facts about Martins-Hausiku

· She is an introvert.

· She loves cooking.

· She is results-orientated.

· She is always in pursuit of excellence.

· She is sanguine.

· She is a patient person.

· She is altruistic.

· She is hardworking.

· She is family-orientated.