Charles Tjatindi
15 September 2008
Tsumeb — From a distance, the Tsumeb Arts and Craft Centre looks like anything but a home for the arts.
Its simple, yet attractive buildings are most probably the only link there is to an arts and craft centre. At a second glance, however, and upon entering it, one discovers that the centre truly lives up to its name.
It is at this centre where energetic Nailoke Niingungo has been operating her business - Nailonge Solar House CC. As the name implies, the business specialises in the design and manufacturing of solar stoves. Such stoves are then sold to local consumers, most of whom use them for daily domestic cooking.
"This stove uses nothing but pure solar energy for its cooking purposes. You can bake, cook, or fry anything in it - it could even be more effective than a conventional stove," Niingungo proudly states as she displays her product.
Although her current business is relatively new, Niingungo boasts that she has been in the vocational field for many years. She started off as a trainee and rose through the ranks to become a vocational instructor. It was, however, only after receiving extensive training in the art of assembling solar stoves, that her entrepreneurial ambitions started taking shape.
Armed with sufficient experience and know-how of solar stove assembling and production, the charismatic young Niingungo was set to put her dream - that of owning her own business - in motion. With the assistance of the local branch of the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NCCI, and COSDEC - her dream materialised, and Niingungo Solar House CC opened its doors for business.
"I am very grateful for this centre. It really provided some of us with a chance to showcase our skills through running our own businesses. The location of the centre is also very convenient as it is central and I have a lot of people frequenting it daily," said Niingungo.
In order to supplement the income she gets from the selling of solar stoves, Niingungo also sells home-baked bread, which she bakes using the solar stoves.
"All you have to do is ensure there is enough sunlight, put the bread flour mixture inside the stove, and carry on with your other activities while timing the baking. After a while you return, take out your bread and serve it," explains Niingungo.
Owning the stall next to that of Niingungo are three young women, who jointly run a leather products manufacturing business. Here, they produce and sell various leather items ranging from belts and sandals to handbags.
The undertaking is jointly owned by Frieda Shikongo, Atusheni Kandjengo, Anna Kornelius and others. Altogether, nine young women with an average age of 20 and one man manufacture and sell their products from this business.
After battling unemployment since their graduation from high school a few years ago, the trio decided to enrol at the local COSDEC centre and were trained in leather production techniques.
"COSDEC really helped us a lot. If it were not for the skills we learnt there, we would not be operating our own business today. We were also lucky to get a stall here, which helps us to promote and sell our products," said Frieda.
On a typical day, customers - especially tourists - frequent the stall, with each one admiring the special craft of these young people. Given such motivation, these young people believe they could go far in their trade, and are currently looking at expanding their businesses through partnerships, and other joint ventures.
"I want to appeal to other young people not to give up hope when they fail to secure employment, but to keep on trying - you never know when it will be your lucky day," said Anna.
Anna's colleague, Kandjengo silently nods in agreement, before adding that young people should be encouraged to venture into entrepreneurship and self-employment as opposed to looking for an eight-to-five job.
"The future of Namibia is steering towards people having their own businesses. If, as a young person, you do not start soon, you will find out that you are 50 - having worked at the same table all over the years, and never getting a promotion at all," she said.
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