The Year That Was... André le Roux
Andre Le Roux, leveraging a legal background, operates as a communication strategist, skillfully intertwining legal proficiency with strategic communication. He holds pivotal roles at Women at Work and serves as the Chairperson of the Media Appeals Committee. Through his engagement in diverse initiatives, he has actively fostered impactful changes, gaining firsthand insight into the remarkable resilience and adaptability displayed by individuals and communities.
2023 was... The year 2023 has been a year for reset and growth both personally and professionally. Despite the global challenges, including wars, and the increased cost of living impacting Namibians, I remain optimistic. The difficulties have underscored the importance of resilience and adaptability, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our capabilities to overcome adversity.
2024 will be... About taking the learnings from 2023 and applying them to create further opportunities for the organisations I am involved in.
Last three things you spend money on? Gym membership, Apple Fitness subscription, and a gift for a colleague.
Last text you sent? A thank you note to my personal trainer.
Best Dressed Namibians of 2023: Luis Munana and Shapwanale (Blommie) Classic.
2023 in a Tweet... "Enough Musk already."
2023 taught me... The Power of Technology: This year highlighted the need for a broader understanding and utilisation of technology. Technology is a pivotal tool in shaping our future, from basic digital literacy to advanced AI applications.
What 2023 took away from you? 2023 was a journey in self-compassion, teaching me to embrace my imperfections and turn them into strengths.
What song dominated your playlist in 2023? "Something More" by Bart Skills and Weska, as Spotify kindly reminded me.
What put Namibia in the spotlight this year? Green hydrogen and the promise of future oil discoveries.
Namibian Holiday Destinations? Swakopmund and Walvis Bay – similar yet uniquely different.
Namibian Disruptor of the Year: The Supreme Court of Namibia's landmark judgment on LGBTQ rights for same-sex couples stands out as the disruptor of the year. This pivotal decision has sparked a significant debate on inclusivity and the true meaning of equality in Namibia, a conversation that will undoubtedly continue into 2024 and beyond.
Most overrated thing in 2023? The anticipation of 5G, overshadowed by the real impact of AI for consumers.
2023 Highlight? Personally achieving my fitness goals and obtaining my LLM. Professionally, the "Coach a Child to Read" program and the ex-offenders program at Women at Work were introduced.
Last thing that you sleepless nights? The challenge of delving back into the verbose world of academic writing for my LLM.
Biggest blooper of the year? The array of misleading front-page stories that graced Namibian media.
A book you will recommend to a friend/family? Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet – Taylor Lorenz
Namibian Brand of the Year? Bank Windhoek.
Your preferred Social Media Platform? TikTok for its engaging content and superior algorithm.