Sossusvlei gets new retail and fuel facility

Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne officially opened the Sossus Spar Express and Fuel Station on 10 November.

The development, estimated to have cost millions of Namibian Dollars, is expected to improve access to essential goods and fuel for residents, businesses and tourists visiting the Sossusvlei and Sesriem area. Kröhne described the facility as an important addition to the region's tourism and transport infrastructure, saying it would provide convenience and greater peace of mind for local and international travellers. “This is vital economic infrastructure for one of Namibia's most iconic landscapes. May it not only fuel our vehicles but also contribute to the country's economic journey. Fuel stations are important landmarks when travelling through Namibia, and this facility will offer travellers visiting this beautiful part of the country some peace of mind,” she said.

Inclusive growth - Kröhne said establishing a business of this scale in the Hardap Region required vision, investment and a willingness to recognise opportunities. “You saw a need, responded to it and invested in the future of this economy and our national travel network,” she said. Kröhne added that the project demonstrated how private-sector investment could support national development priorities and address the needs of local communities. “Infrastructure is the backbone of inclusive growth. It improves connectivity between regions, creates economic opportunities and enhances the quality of life of our people, whether they live in urban centres or remote rural communities. “Government alone cannot build a thriving economy. An active and committed private sector is needed to turn investment opportunities into reality,” she said.

Kröhne also stressed that businesses should be measured not only by the services they provide but also by the value they create and their contribution to surrounding communities. She said tourism in Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert supported businesses and provided livelihoods for people in the surrounding areas, adding that the everyday needs of residents and workers should not be overlooked.

Community driven - Co-owner Daleen Agenbag who runs the business with her husband, Johan, said the facility aimed to serve both the local community and tourists, as well as provide supplies to lodges in the area. “Our prices are competitive and affordable. We are here to serve the local community and tourists, and we also want to assist the lodges in the area. The Caltex service station will be completed in the next three weeks. We will supply diesel, fresh vegetables and cooking oil to lodges in the area. Motorists will be able to refuel, refresh, buy essential supplies or stop for a meal while travelling through the region,” she said.

Agenbag said the idea for the development came about after the couple visited the area five years ago. “Whenever we stopped at a lodge, people wanted to know when we would bring a Spar to this area,” she said. Twenty-five builders, including eight local workers, were involved in the construction. The business has created 20 permanent jobs. The development also includes a restaurant and a curio shop, with about 70% of its products sourced from Namibians. “We want to create income opportunities for people who do sewing, beadwork and make quality homemade delicacies,” Agenbag said.

Improved services - Hardap governor Riaan McNab said the development would benefit communities in Sossusvlei and Sesriem by improving access to services and creating opportunities for interaction between residents, businesses and tourists.

He said the area was of national importance because of its contribution to the tourism sector and the economy. “The lodges in this area already employ people from across Namibia, and this venture will contribute to the tourism sector and improve the overall visitor experience. It has already created jobs and will ultimately help reduce poverty in the area,” McNab said. He urged the community to support the business and encouraged local artists and craftspeople to use the opportunity to market their products. “This is a priority under our National Development Plan, and the area has many skilled people who create art and crafts. Make use of this opportunity,” he said.

Keep it local - Daweb Constituency councillor Hercules Jantze said the opening marked the realisation of a dream that had been taking shape for more than five years.

“We are excited, happy and grateful that it has finally become a reality,” he said. Jantze said the development would save residents from travelling long distances to Mariental to buy groceries and other essentials. “We no longer have to drive long distances to Mariental to do our shopping. Families can also visit the dunes and canyon, swim at Sesriem and do their shopping before returning home,” he said.

He also welcomed plans to establish a clinic and possibly a school in the area. Jantze said more than 30 lodges operated in the surrounding area and that consultations were under way with the management teams. He expressed the hope that Sossus Spar Express and Fuel Station would employ and train people from nearby communities, particularly young people. “The expectation of the community and its leaders is that young people from the surrounding areas should be employed so that their living conditions and those of their families can improve,” he said.