•  By Patience Makwele

Known for her multi-entrepreneurial abilities, Sister Kashala was 22 when a one-month stint as a vacation assistant sparked the idea of starting her own travel agency. With her travel agency, Lazilia Travels, she carries a layered identity that blends technical precision with soulful generosity.  

“I am a multi-passionate entrepreneur. I am a registered quantity surveyor with a deep love for people, service and travel. On any given day, I am either helping clients bring physical spaces to life through quantity surveying or guiding them to explore different corners of the world as a travel consultant,” said Kashala.

“The best way to describe myself is through my names. ‘Sister’ because I genuinely see myself as a sister to all. ‘Ndapewoshali’ reflects my selflessness and generosity and ‘Lidiinikeni’ speaks to my drive and persistence,” she added. What began as casual exposure to logistics for a group trip, quickly lit a deeper spark, a calling that brought warmth and a sense of belonging to Kashala. 

“I saw the joy in people traveling together and thought, why not create that for Namibians?” she recalled.  However, transforming that spark into a movement took two years of unwavering faith and a belief that even without experience, purpose would lead the way.  “I had no background in tourism. Talk about having guts. I was working full-time in construction when I launched [agency]. Looking back, I believe it was God-ordained.

“Initially, I wanted to create budget trips for students since the idea came just after I graduated. The numbers did not add up. So I put it on hold, but it never left me,” she shared.

In 2019, she floated the concept among friends and asked them to keep her accountable.  “I ran a survey on WhatsApp asking people how much they would be willing to pay for a trip. To my surprise, people were open to paying more than I expected. That gave me the confidence to go for it.”That year, she launched the first trip to Cape Town, South Africa with 10 clients.

“The plan was to only do Cape Town trips since I had studied there and knew the city well. By the end of 2019, we had hosted 70 people over four trips. Soon, people started asking for more destinations and that is how the business grew.” While the tourism industry has its share of hurdles, Kashala believes the challenges differ across sectors, especially for a young woman navigating a male-dominated space.

“In tourism, the struggles are universal. These are cancellations, flight delays, rude clients and unpredictable events like COVID-19. These are not necessarily tied to being a woman or being young, but in construction, which is still a male-dominated industry, I have struggled with imposter syndrome. I have often felt like the odd one out. I learned to show up anyway. I remind myself that I belong in every room God places me in.”

According to her, one of her most memorable trip was when she unexpectedly traveled with her dentist. “That is the kind of magic that happens when you travel with open-hearted, curious people. That is what sets Lazilia apart. We create spaces for fun, discovery, and real connection. You do not just return with photos, you return with friendships that leave a lasting impact.” This blend of spiritual grounding and vulnerability shapes her definition of confidence, a quality she carries and shares with intention.

 “Confidence is the quiet assurance that who you are and what you carry is enough. It does not mean I always know what I am doing. Most days, I am a mess, but I show up anyway. Some days, I am running on 20 percent, other days I am at 100 percent. What matters is that I give whatever I have, fully.”

Quoting her favorite passage, Psalm 139:13–16, she said, “It reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose. I encourage people to shine, not just with words, but by showing up with presence, support and love. They call me the head girl of black girl magic and the minister of sisterhood, because one thing about me, I will show up for the girlies.”

Asked what message she has for the girls watching her rise, Kashala shared practical advice rooted in faith.  “Just start. Start where you are and with what you have. You will never feel fully ready, so do not wait.

 It sounds cliché, but you can never perfect it at the beginning, there is always something to learn. Jump in, fail, learn and do better next time. Be ready to walk alone sometimes. People will promise support but not all will follow through, and that’s okay. Just keep going.”