Growing up far from the ocean in Namibia’s desert landscapes, the sea was never meant to be part of Priskilla’s story. Today, she works as a marine biologist. Her work contributes to ocean conservation efforts and research that protect marine life and support sustainable ecosystems:
Hello Pewah, we are happy to have you join us today. You are welcome to Words That Count
Thank you for the opportunity and the platform to share my story. And, thanks to Fahima Bellabad for the nomination.
Let us begin with a brief introduction about who you are
My full name is Priskilla Patemoshela Ndapewoshali Nghaangulwa. I am a Namibian, living in Swakopmund, Namibia. Currently, I work for the Benguela Current Convention as an Ecosystem Officer.
What sparked your interest in becoming a marine biologist? Was this something you knew about since childhood?
I was born in a small village in the far northern part of Namibia called Ongha, in the Ohangwena region. I come from a home where my parents believed that education is the gateway to success. At the age of six, my parents sent me to boarding school in Otavi. This place was far away from home, especially for a six-year-old. With no family in this little town, I adapted and made it my second home.
It is in Otavi where it all started. This is where I lived the longest part of my life, from primary school (Grade 1) to matric (Grade 12). It was here that I learned how to analyse life and make decisions.
What is wild, though, is that I never in my wildest dreams thought of being a marine biologist. I knew nothing about the ocean. My dream was to be a neurosurgeon, but I was not accepted into medical school. The second field of study closest to my heart was Environmental Sciences.
I did my Honours degree in Environmental Biology, a very broad background that enabled me flexibility. In 2020, I got my first-ever internship in the marine space at the Namibia Dolphin Project. It was love at first sight. Seeing the ocean for the first time in person took my breath away. Seeing whales and dolphins and doing necropsies was what confirmed it all. It was during this time that I grew fonder of the ocean and started actively participating in marine-related activities.
In my third year at university, I was appointed as one of four Youth Ambassadors of the Benguela Current Convention in Namibia. This role gave me a deeper understanding of the marine environment.
Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I pursued my Master’s in Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, while also working as a marine biologist at the Namibia Nature Foundation. This role strengthened my understanding and fed my curiosity about the marine environment.
As a marine biologist, I remembered the importance of giving back to the Namibian child. I wanted to participate in outreach activities that reintroduced the concept of ocean literacy. This was motivated by the reality that I knew nothing about the marine environment until 2020. I was limited to what I learned in school. So, I reached out to places far away from the coastal towns. I taught learners and local communities about the ocean, as my way of giving back through knowledge.
After conducting an audit of the national school curriculum, I realised that less than 20% of ocean literacy content was covered across Grades 1 to 12. Together with my colleagues, Titus Shaanika and Anna Hughes, we developed and authored the Ocean Literacy Toolkit for Namibia. This is a document that aims to integrate ocean literacy into the school curriculum for both formal and informal education. It is tailor-made for Namibia, using Namibian content and context. We intended for it to create a sense of connectedness and custodianship of the ocean, to fill the knowledge gap, and to foster appreciation of this magnificent body of water. The content in this document is anchored around the seven principles of ocean literacy by UNESCO.
Another very profound part of my career has been working with the commercial fishing industry through the Albatross Task Force (ATF) project, housed by the Namibia Nature Foundation. It is through this work that I had my first personal encounter with the ocean at sea. This influenced the title of my first documentary with Al Jazeera on the Africa Direct series, “Sleeping on Water“, in which I narrate my story of becoming a marine biologist. This project aims to reduce seabird bycatch and mortalities during fishing operations, achieving reductions of up to 98% in the demersal hake longline fishery and 85% in the demersal hake trawl fishery as of 2020.
Now I sit and look back at where it all started and where I am. I still push to do greater things and, above all, to be an inspiration for those who come after me and a source of hope for those who came before me. My hope is to see an African child who is educated and thriving. I want to see a girl child defeat all odds and prove that anything is possible if you truly want it. When it is all said and done, I want to be remembered as someone who celebrated others and, above all, someone who inspired and positively impacted lives.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered while becoming the marine biologist that we see today?
My biggest challenge was my fear of water. Coming from a place where standing water was only visible after good rains or floods, the closest I came to water was when drinking it or showering. I had serious aquaphobia. But what is a marine biologist who fears water? I had to face my fears, give my career purpose, and enrol in swimming courses. As it stands today, I am drawn to water at every sight of it. I am currently pursuing a diving course.
Working in a very male-dominated industry as a young woman was my next biggest challenge. The fear of the unknown and the intimidation while navigating such spaces, especially in my field, was a challenging phase in my career. It took believing in myself and overcoming imposter syndrome to push past those fears, live in the moment, and give it my all. In the end, I kept surprising myself with everything I was able to accomplish.
The other challenge has been funding. The capital needed to bring my many ideas to life, and to finance my studies, is something I believe is a universal struggle. I know that almost every ambitious young person faces it.
How have you been able to see beyond these challenges and keep growing your career?
My inspiration has always been the reason why I started. There have been many times when I almost gave up on dreaming big because of the challenges. But more than anything, I look at myself in the mirror and ask: “Pewah, why did you start? Why quit now? And will quitting solve any of the problems you identified?” Very often, the answer is a resounding no.
Knowing the reasons why you begin something is very important. It becomes the very reason you wake up every morning and persevere. Knowing that, I told myself I want to be remembered for my resilience. My future impact is what keeps me going.
Let us talk about some of the most prestigious moments in your marine biologist journey
Completing two degrees, an Honours and a Master’s, has been my greatest academic achievement.
Launching the Ocean Literacy Toolkit, a product I actively contributed to and watched come together piece by piece until the very final stage, was another great achievement and milestone in my life.
Throughout my career, I have participated in many initiatives that have contributed to my growth and skills as a marine biologist. In 2022, I participated in the Tara Ocean Foundation Microbiome Expedition, and most recently, the NoSoAT Ocean CapX Expedition aboard the RV Polarstern, from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Walvis Bay, Namibia. These expeditions were not only a learning and skill development platform for me, but also a dream come true and a full circle moment for the little girl from the dusty streets of Otavi.
Participating in at-sea expeditions has been another highlight. The NoSoAT expedition placed me aboard Germany’s flagship research vessel, and on it I touched and deployed Expendable Bathythermographs (XBTs) and Argo floats, equipment I had only ever read about and never seen in person. Who would have thought that the little girl from Ongha would one day grow up to become exactly this, and is still becoming more?
I currently also serve as a member of the Pan-African Youth Parliament, a role that sharpens my leadership skills beyond being a scientist, with goals aligned with the Agenda 2063 for the Africa we want.
Who is Pewah outside of the marine biologist walls?
Outside of work, I am an adventurous person and an adrenaline junkie. When I am not outdoors, I spend time reading books, watching series, and, oddly enough, reading medical literature, perhaps to nurture the little girl in me who always dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon.
When I am home with my parents, I spend most of my time following them around. My father loves farming, so I spend a lot of time gardening with him, an opportunity I only get once a year during the December holidays.
I also treasure my moments with my friends Ashley and Thihangwi, doing all sorts of adventurous and satisfying activities whenever I travel to South Africa. I believe in living beautifully, on the edge, and fully in the moment.
What is your favorite quote?
“To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And how can a man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods” ~ Thomas Babington Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome.
What are your words of encouragement for a young girl who is interested in becoming a marine biologist?
Dear girl child, whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve. Whatever you focus your energy on, you can conquer. The times of women staying home and taking care of the house are long over. This is a new era, an era of women conquering despite the odds. The future is female, and it is very much pregnant with possibility. Lift your head, spread your wings, and go conquer the world. You are capable and very much able, but only if you believe
Thank you, Pewah, for trusting us with your STEM journey and teaching us about the world of a marine biologist. We look forward to celebrating you more in the future.
One Response
What do you found in ocean ecosystem?