3 December 2008
Construction firm is up and running Nearly 16 months after signing her first major construction contract, Katrina Shimbulu, the sole owner of Kamwiitulwa Electric & Building Construction, was awarded yet another big contract for the construction of the new Okatana Constituency Office at Uukwangula.
Construction of this office block began at the end of September and is expected to be completed within seven months.
With the financial support of the Development Bank of Namibia, Shimbulu was able to step up a level in the industry, joining the handful of women who are carving a place for themselves in the male-dominated field.
Prior to this contract, Kamwiitulwa was subcontracted to cover 14km of the road between Onanke and Onyaanya in the Oshikoto Region.
Shimbulu provided temporary job opportunities to 150 people through this labour-intensive road works project.
To ensure skills transfer to women, 80 per cent of the workforce are women, she emphasises.
Shimbulu's participation in both projects was funded through bridging finance facilities from the DBN.
Her first loan was settled before she applied for the second one and paid up before the loan period ended.
Kamwiitulwa Electric & Building Construction was able to retain 11 permanent and also temporary staff who continue to benefit from on the job training.
During the current project, Shimbulu will work alongside LI Architects, the appointed architect and project manager, and gain valuable technical knowledge.
LI Architects will be on site to manage the project, and will only issue final performance certificates for each section of work completed once it is satisfied with the quality of the work delivered.
Prior to joining the road construction industry, Shimbulu was involved in the construction of houses - since 2004 - and built an average of 10 houses a year.
Another big project she undertook was the revamping of the Oshakati Hotel in 2006.
According to DBN CEO David Nuyoma, the business's growth is an illustration of the bridging facility's positive impact on companies.
Shimbulu diversified her business interests and now also owns a warehouse of about 5 000m', which is subdivided into five storage facilities.
She rents out three for extra income.
She uses one as office space and a second for her tools.
"Construction is dominated by men.
It is hard work and one is always dressed in boots and overalls, but women should take up the challenge.
Money is available.
Through DBN's assistance, I was able to realise my goals, and now even own property," she says. - This article first appeared in the November edition of DBN's Newsletter
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