This International Women’s Day (March 8), we want to take the time to celebrate our women in leadership – the amazing superwomen that form part of our Zambezi Queen Collection team. Margaret Thatcher once made the somewhat controversial comment: “if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”
While we know that our women can say and do, there is something about women just getting things done! We know the friendly faces you meet on your holiday are the greatest asset of our business. Meet Doreen, one of our incredible women from the Zambezi Queen!
Doreen, General Manager of the Zambezi Queen
Doreen is the General Manager of the Zambezi Queen, the powerhouse woman responsible for ensuring our guests’ stay is everything they wished for and more.
Doreen is a Namibian local, born and bred. She was born and raised in Okahandja, known as the Garden Town of Namibia, and worked for the family business before moving into the hospitality industry.
The rest, as they say, is history!
“I saw a small advertisement that the Zambezi Queen was looking for an Assistant Manager,” says Doreen. “I applied and within seven days arrived on Kasika Island, stepping foot on the Zambezi Queen.”
What do you love most about your job? Spending every day in nature, working with the local communities and welcoming new guests onboard from all over the world.
Doreen is the first to admit that being a woman and working as a woman brings its own set of challenges. She says learning how to stand up for herself in the industry was a challenge she is proud to have overcome.
It seems that Doreen landed in just the place she was meant to be. The one thing guaranteed to put a smile on her face every day? “Nature and seeing the river around me.” Happily, for Doreen, she wakes up every day to do a job she loves on the beautiful Zambezi Queen with the stunning beauty of the Chobe River all around.
Read related content: Discover the Chobe River region.
Doreen is fully aware of just how special this corner of Africa is.
“We are staying in a small piece of heaven!” says Doreen, with a smile.
We asked Doreen five quickfire questions:
If you got stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
A camera, food and clothes.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
London
Favourite drink and food?
Gin & Tonic, and chicken and vegetables
Favourite view?
The ocean or a river.
Favourite place?
Cape Town, South Africa
Which other women in the Zambezi Queen Collection team would you like to hear from? Let us know – and happy International Women’s Day, ladies.
Read related content: Read more of our staff stories here.