Rosito Pansa - Biography

Cultural Heritage
I come from a family of African descent, and our cultural heritage is rich with a remarkable story that dates back to the mid-18th century. The story begins with Ma Pansa, a woman who was a servant at a plantation in Suriname, a country located on the north coast of South America. Ma Pansa endured a life in bondage and lacked the freedom she longed for.

One fateful day, she made a bold decision to escape the harsh conditions of the plantation, embarking on a journey into the Amazon rainforest alongside her boyfriend, Ajako. During their escape, Ma Pansa carried rice seeds from the plantation, concealing them within her braids. This courageous act, revered by the Saamaka tribe as brave, enabled them to cultivate rice in the heart of Suriname to this very day. As a descendant of Ma Pansa, I am inspired by this story, which not only carries a powerful legacy but also embodies courage, strength, and the determination to fight for what you believe in.

Educational background
At the elementary school, I was known for my creativity but also for being easily distracted. This led to me taking 8 years to complete my elementary education instead of the usual 6 years. However, I managed to successfully finish junior high school in just 4 years without facing any major challenges.
Instead of following the typical path of transitioning directly to a 3-year high school program after junior high, I chose to attend a specialized high school focusing on tourism that required 3 years to complete. After this, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, gaining two years of academic experience before deciding to focus fully on building my business. This background provided a solid foundation in strategic communication, media, and interpersonal skills, which have been valuable assets in my entrepreneurial journey.

Religious background
My conversion to Christianity took place when I was 16. One Sunday I arrived late at a Catholic church that I often visited with my brother. The services lasted only half an hour: people gathered, sang three to four songs, read a Bible text and ended the service. On the way back home, I met a friend who was on his way to the Pentecostal church where his father was pastor. We were at the crossroads of two roads: the road to my house and the road to the Pentecostal church. I thought: if I missed the Catholic Church service, I still got time to visit this one. So, I went with him and from that day on I became a member of the church. That is where my conversion took place, I was baptized and served the Kingdom of God to this day.

Employment & entrepreneurship

In 2018, I successfully completed the Tour Operating Supervisor program at the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Training Center (SHTTC) and obtained my high school diploma. The program, which spanned three years, fueled my passion for the tourism industry and motivated me to pursue opportunities within this field.
Beginning my career as a coordinator at a company specializing in real estate and internship housing, I gradually transitioned to managerial positions at various tour operators and hotels in Suriname. These roles provided me with a solid foundation of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the industry. In 2020, I made the decision to venture into entrepreneurship and established my own mediation company, Huurzoek Makelaardij NV. This step allowed me to work autonomously and further develop my entrepreneurial skills across sectors such as real estate, tourism, sales and marketing.

Leadership & Social work
As a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, youth activist, and writer, I have dedicated over a decade to actively collaborating with young individuals in Suriname. In 2023, I established the Youth Association Suriname with the goal of empowering young Surinamese individuals on both national and international levels. The organization has implemented several programs such as the Youth Summit Suriname, Youth Speaks, Youth Excellence Paramaribo, and Tech Expo. These initiatives offer young people the opportunity to get in touch with professionals and companies, and contribute to their personal growth.

Public Speaking

I gained the confidence to speak in front of a crowd when I was sixteen years old. I had a reputation for giving outstanding presentations at school, and my peers observed that I always had the full class listening. This was because, although not yet reaching my full potential, I presented with a great deal of enthusiasm and determination.
I learned about a speaking competition that was hosted by a multinational in 2012. I immediately signed up, even though I was the only person in my social group to do so. I left a lasting impression on the audience during the competition and placed among the top three winners. This was the start of my public speaking career. Since then, I have received numerous invitations to speak at seminars, conferences, and schools. I started PANSA-Speaking in 2018 with the intention of sharing my story with the world and helping people who have not discovered their passion yet.