Exploring the diverse talents of Mercy Shoombe, also known as Kandeya, reveals a versatile 20-year-old who wears multiple hats. She’s a data scientist at MTC, a part-time student, a captivating DJ, and the savvy CEO behind Match Me, her emerging cosmetics business.
Coming from the lively town of Grootfontein, Kandeya’s journey has been a mash-up of different passions that defy the norm. Her story is all about staying determined, chasing after what she loves, and making her mark in tech, business, and music.
Discovering Her Path
After matriculating from Grootfontein Secondary School in 2020, Kandeya made a significant move to Windhoek. As a computer science student, she struggled to find her niche as it can be a very competitive field. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a data analytics module that everything changed.
Now, with the position at MTC she gained through their internship programme, Kandeya gets real-world experience to pair with the theoretical knowledge she gains from her studies.
“The hands-on experience enhanced my understanding, problem-solving skills, and adaptability,” she says.
Diving Into Business
Earlier this year, Kandeya put some of her money from the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to good use by investing them in her own cosmetics company. She started off with a lip gloss line, titled ‘Cinderella’, that sold out in its first week.
“The goal was to provide a product that enhances natural beauty while setting the tone for future releases,” Kandeya says.
Everybody Loves DJ Kandy
Kandeya’s passion for being a disc jockey always lingered, and she was a bit apprehensive about actually pursuing it.
“I reached a point where I decided to stop overthinking and just go for it,” she says.
And go for it, she did. Her partner Eliaser, popularly known as Real Deal, taught her the basics on a controller she already owned. Moving forward, she met Bizza DJ, and he has been, and still is, a great help to her. Now, the name DJ Kandy is far from foreign in the Windhoek entertainment scene.
Overcoming Challenges
Balancing all these commitments is not always a walk in the park for Kandeya. “I’m a part-time student, which means my classes are after 5, but so is practice. I would miss most of my classes, but I managed to pass my semester even with other pressures. I’m still working on having a good schedule,” she says.
“My anxiety also tends to get the best of me at times, but I’m working on it. I’m my biggest critic, and every day I push myself to do better than the previous,” she adds in regard to her DJing challenges.
However, she welcomes all these challenges because, in a world that tends to be reward-driven, Kandeya gains motivation and satisfaction from overcoming her adversities — She draws strength from the support of those around her.
“Additionally, the belief that I can make a positive impact in the tech and music realms keeps me inspired and committed to achieve my aspirations,” she says. Citing Maria Nepembe as a major inspiration, Kandeya also strives to emulate her work ethic and business-driven mindset.
Word of Advice
Her advice to the young people champions a brave and inquisitive spirit in the pursuit of all their goals.
Don’t be afraid to step outside of traditional paths. Learn from setbacks, stay persistent, and leverage the unique skills gained from diverse interests to your advantage.
Mercy Shoombe
With regards to her future, Kandeya keeps her cards close to her chest so as not to jinx anything, but we can be sure to expect nothing short of great things. In the meantime, enjoy her latest mix with Real Deal here and follow her on Instagram here.
