Abraham Dausab: A born educator

Abraham Dausab, a 41-year-old Namibian teacher, has built his career on perseverance, purpose and a passion for teaching.

He teaches Afrikaans to grades four to seven at !Aimablaagte Primary School in Mariental, where he continues to shape young minds.

His path into teaching began after he completed secondary school at Concordia College in 2003.

Driven by determination and a passion for teaching, Dausab took a leap of faith in 2005 when he applied to the Windhoek College of Education, despite financial constraints.

Reflecting on this moment, he recalled applying despite the uncertainty, “believing that because I was passionate, a plan could be made later on to source funds.”

That faith paid off when he later received funding from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund.

From 2006 to 2008, he studied at the college, obtaining a basic education teachers diploma – a decision that would prove to mark a turning point.

Guided by example, driven to teach

Teaching was not unfamiliar to him. Growing up in a household where both parents were educators fostered a deep respect for the profession.

His admiration for education was also shaped by inspirational Afrikaans teachers, notably Mrs Lucia Witbooi and Mr Alban Kloppers, whose love for the language left a lasting impression and ultimately inspired his career.

Those early influences mattered deeply, particularly “the love they instilled in me for the language”, Dausab said.

Finding his calling

In April 2009, Dausab applied for his first teaching post at St Therese Junior Secondary School in Tses. He began teaching there in May 2009, at the beginning of the second term.

Starting as a new teacher during the second term was not easy.

From the outset, long hours, curriculum demands and professional development commitments required immediate adjustment and attention.

As he described it, he had to “hit the ground running”.

He taught Afrikaans and English to grades eight to ten at the school, where he also took responsibility for sports, before moving to PJ Tsaitsaib Combined School to teach English to grades four to seven.

Like many young teachers, he entered the profession filled with high expectations and ambitious ideals, but experience soon brought reflection and growth, guided by the belief that “each learner is an individual”.

As the education landscape evolved, he adapted, a mindset that continues to shape his work today.

From learner to mentor, Dausab now leads with experience, having learned to “remain calm” and to listen before acting.