Ben Zaaruka acknowledges NUST’s doctorate conferment

By: Selma Ikela

Multi-millionaire businessman Ben Zaaruka said it is ironic the Harold Pupkewitz graduate school of business at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is conferring an honorary doctorate upon him.

Zaaruka recalled how, many years ago, he showed up at Pupkewitz Group wearing the same overalls as the company’s employees and started working, despite not being officially employed.

His presence was only noticed a few days later.

Fast forward, Zaaruka is a successful businessman who owns several businesses in northern Namibian, including Oshana Mall, Benz Building Supplies and Property development. He said that Pupkewitz was the only company he had ever worked for, describing the opportunity as mentorship, where he learnt a great deal.

Now retired and living at Hochfeld, outside Okahandja, his place of birth, Zaaruka said he accepted the honorary recognition because of his family, colleagues and one prominent Namibian figure.

In a media statement issued on Friday, Nust announced it will confer a Doctor of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship (Honoris Causa ) to Zaaruka at its October graduation ceremony next week Friday.

Nust said Zaaruka is celebrated for his transformative role in the country’s landscape and his far-reaching contributions to national development and achievements.

“ Rising from humble beginnings in Windhoek’s Old location, he has built a portfolio of multi-million dollar enterprises that have created jobs, advanced infrastructure, and reshaped communities, particularly in the northern Namibia,” read the statement.