Travelling the world by sea
Namibian woman serves in British Royal Navy
Namibia's Mienke Delport says her job with the British Navy allows her to realise her dreams – yet she longs for her homeland."I miss home – the wide open spaces, the warmth of the people and the dry heat. There is nothing quite like the quiet beauty of the Namibian bush and the feeling of truly belonging,’ she says.
After school, she was unsure about her future and initially considered working on sailing yachts. But when the opportunity arose to join the British Royal Navy, she knew immediately that she had to seize it. She was inspired by her nephew, a Royal Marine, who told her about his experiences in 2021. After applying, it took three years for her to be accepted. ‘It was a long wait, but I persevered. Today, I am grateful – it was worth it."
However, adjusting to life in the United Kingdom has been a challenge: "The food is not as great as Namibian meat, and the cold, wet weather takes some getting used to. But the landscapes and castles still have something magical about them."
Delport hopes to remain in the Navy for five to ten years and serve on warships, travelling the world and fulfilling her personal and professional dreams.