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The former mayor of Usakos, businesswoman, public-sector leader and entrepreneur Dr Irene Simeon- Kurtz has recently been conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) Honoris Causa by MasterMinds Business School (MBS), a UK-based business school, during the Singapore Leadership Summit 2026.
The honorary doctorate is the latest recognition in her career, spanning more than three decades of public-sector involvement, business leadership, governance and community service. Dr. Simeon- Kurtz has previously been recognised by MasterMinds Business School with an Executive MBA, a Leadership Award, and Alumni Induction, marking significant milestones in her continued commitment to executive education, leadership and professional development.
Her academic qualifications include Master of Public Administration (MPA), majoring in Public Policy and Political Governance at the University of Stellenbosch, an Honours Degree in Public Administration (PubHons), also at the University of Stellenbosch, master’s in international business at NUST, Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business. She also boasts a three-year University Diploma in Marketing Management (Lyceum College/University of Pretoria, and numerous additional management, leadership, governance and public-sector development courses undertaken over more than 30 years of professional service.
Dr Simeon- Kurtz’s impressive track record further includes accolades as Businesswoman of the Year Award Winner (Namibia), Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) Good Business Certificate of Merit — 2nd Runner-Up, awarded to Usakos Service Station in the Emerging Enterprise category, Namibian Business Hall of Fame – Laureate 2017, following her induction into the Hall of Fame, as well as the She Millionaire Award, South Africa, 2024, where she was recognised as 3rd in Africa’s Women Wealth Builders Awards, under the theme “Empowering Women, Shaping the Future” in Limpopo. These recognitions reflect a career that has combined entrepreneurship with a strong commitment to public service, economic participation and community development.
Throughout her career, Dr Simeon- Kurtz has served on several boards and institutions of national and regional significance, including Vice Chairperson of Telecom Namibia, Chairperson of PowerCom, Trustee of the Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF), Board Member of Erongo RED, Board Member of the Namibia Competition Commission, Member of the Erongo Communal Land Board, representing women engaged in farming operations in the Board’s area for a period of three years. According to Dr Simeon-Kurtz her extensive boardroom experience has strengthened her understanding of corporate governance, strategic oversight, institutional development and responsible leadership. Dr Simeon-Kurtz is also the Founder President of the Black Business Leadership Network Namibia (BBLNN), an organisation focused on strengthening black business leadership, promoting entrepreneurship, creating platforms for business development and advancing meaningful participation of Namibians in the economy.
Her contribution to national economic dialogue was further recognised when she was appointed by the late former President Dr Hage G. Geingob to serve on the Business Rescue Task Force (BRTF). The task force brought together senior bankers, legal experts, entrepreneurs and investment managers to undertake research and consultations with businesses, banks, insolvency practitioners and government. Its mandate included identifying opportunities for policy intervention, promoting global legislative frameworks and encouraging business rescue as a preferred pathway for financially distressed entities.
In 2023, Dr Simeon-Kurtz was elected Mayor of Usakos after serving as a town councillor for two years. During her tenure as Mayor, she pursued a vision of transforming and modernising Usakos within the resources available to the town, with a particular emphasis on employment creation, youth empowerment, skills development and economic opportunity. One of her flagship initiatives was the Mayor’s Youth Empowerment and Training Programme, designed to provide young people with opportunities to access funding and vocational training programmes aimed at addressing persistent educational and unemployment challenges. Through partnerships and contributions from fishing companies, close to 60 young adults received training at NIMT and Anistemi College. Some beneficiaries have subsequently secured employment in the mining and hospitality sectors.
Another significant initiative was the establishment of the SME Park at Usakos, an initiative championed by Dr. Simeon-Kurtz to create a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises and stimulate local economic activity. Navachab Mine contributed N$10 million towards the construction of the SME Park, supporting the broader vision of creating sustainable economic opportunities within Usakos. Her political journey within the SWAPO Party spans several levels of grassroots leadership, from Section Leader and Branch Coordinator to her current role as District Coordinator of the Women’s Council for Karibib District in the Erongo Region. She also represents women in business through the Women in Business Association (WBA), Karibib District, under the Ministry of Gender and hosted within the framework of the Erongo Regional Council. Her work continues to focus on ensuring that women and young people are not merely recipients of opportunities, but active participants in economic development and community transformation.
Reflecting on the honorary doctorate, she says the recognition means far more to her than another title or accolade. “Yes, I accepted the award, but for me it is more than just an award. It is the responsibility that comes with it.” She says the recognition has strengthened her determination to continue serving and creating opportunities for others. “I now want to serve more and bring change where I can, especially in the lives of young men and women. Everyone deserves a second chance. Let us not write off people.” For Dr Simeon-Kurtz, the honorary doctorate therefore represents not an endpoint, but another chapter in a lifelong journey of service, leadership, learning and empowerment. Her message is clear: leadership must ultimately be measured not only by the positions one holds or the awards one receives, but by the lives one touches, the opportunities one creates and the change one leaves behind.
By Marshallino Beukes
