Oshakati — Traditional arts and crafts producers in Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Omusati regions under Ohandje Artists Cooperative held a general meeting last week at Oshana Youth Centre in Oshakati.

The annual general meeting was looking at the report on last year's activities, planned activities of this year, presentation of the auditor's financial report, as well as to elect the new board members and supervisory committee.

Ohandje Artists C-operative Coordinator, Fredrika Luanda, said that each year the cooperative makes provision for its members to be trained in pottery and basketry by other members who are experts in the fields.

"The cooperative us still continuing to provide training to its members on regular basis," said Luanda.

Luanda commended Ohandje members who have grabbed the opportunity to register as members in order to escape the clutches of poverty.

She urges all rural communities to make use of opportunities to develop themselves such as through the co-operative.

She said the co-operative is still registering new members.

The artists' co-operative was established with the financial and technical support for Afrika Group of Sweden.

Luanda thanked Mary Johansson who is the advisor to the co-operative and Ndasuunye Shikongeni, who have been working closely with the co-operative.

Both Johansson and Shikongeni have been re-elected as advisors to the co-operative this year.

She also thanked sales outlets and lodges for their support in selling the co-operative's arts and crafts at their shop last year.

Such places are: Namibia Wildlife and Resorts - Namutoni, Out of Africa, Swakopmund Info 'Amber Moon Craft Shop', Penduka, Afrika Stadt Hause in Ongwediva, Tsumeb Craft Shop, OropokoLodge, Oshana Regional Council and Ohangwena Regional Council.

"Thanks for providing a real supportive and helping hands to rural community people in order to sell the Ohandje products.

"We hope more shops and lodges will be willing to market and sell our products this year."

Currently, the cooperative has 30 associations and 1400 individuals registered as members of the cooperative.

The new board members of Ohandje Artists Cooperative Ltd for this year are:

Leena David - chairperson, Saima Kanime - vice chairperson, Victoria Angula - secretary, Beata Komeya - vice secretary, Victoria Shikongo - treasurer, Selma Komeya - vice treasurer, as well as Aune Iita, Susan Adreas and Beata Kalela.

Members of the supervisory committee are: Ester Iilonga, Loinde Fillemon, Hilde Hainghumbi and Saima Salatiel.

The new board and supervisory committee held its first meeting on January 8 at Ohandje Office at Oniipa.

The board will plan the activities and make all the arrangements for the year.