Lüderitz entrepreneurs receive equipment to grow businesses

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services and ǃNamiǂNûs constituency councillor Suzan Ndjaleka has handed over equipment worth N$85,000 to 18 beneficiaries in Lüderitz.

The equipment was handed over on Saturday, 3 October, as part of an initiative by the ǃNamiǂNûs Community Trust Fund to support local businesses and promote economic development in the constituency. “We lacked equipment at the school. I applied, and the assistance we received will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children who attend my school,” said Michelle Swartbooi, one of the recipients who owns a pre-primary school.  

Primus Iininga, the constituency office control administrative officer, said about 100 small business owners from different trades had applied for assistance. "The constituency office approached the ǃNamiǂNûs Community Trust Fund, which sponsored 18 of the applicants with equipment," he said.

The initiative, which has been funded by the Trust Fund since its establishment in 2023 with support from the public sector, aims to provide local businesses with resources to grow, create opportunities and contribute to the local economy. The equipment includes welding, tailoring, carpentry, car wash and printing equipment. A kindergarten and non-profit organisations also received assistance.

Ndjaleka said the Trust Fund had prioritised people with limited economic opportunities, for this year. "A deliberate decision was taken to support people who find themselves in an age margin with limited opportunities. We would like to assist more, but funds are limited," she said.

Ndjaleka added that the ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency Office planned to support more SMEs through a second cohort focused on talent and innovation. "Beneficiaries must demonstrate ability and innovation. COSDEC Benguela has pledged mentoring and business skills training," she said.

She also highlighted an annual contribution by Kolmanskop Tours towards community development. “The Trust Fund's community support programmes include assistance to victims of gender-based violence, undocumented citizens and vulnerable families requiring burial assistance, as well as support for sports, health, youth and education programmes,” Ndjaleka said. The Trust Fund has previously donated an identity-document-capturing machine to the Ministry of Home Affairs and facilitated upgrades at Lüderitz State Hospital.

ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency Youth Forum chairperson Erastus Angula said the equipment represented an opportunity for beneficiaries to turn their ideas into viable businesses. "Behind every piece of equipment being handed over today is a dream and a person with an idea who wants to stand on their own feet," he said.

Angula said the initiative demonstrated the importance of ensuring that government policies and programmes reached the people they were intended to serve. "It presents the beneficiaries with an opportunity to start or strengthen a business and provides a chance to create an income," he said.

He also emphasised that sustainable youth development is not achieved through a single handover ceremony. “It requires continuous investment. It requires follow-up. It requires mentorship. It requires access to markets and finance and young people who are prepared to work hard and make use of the opportunities provided,” Angual said. 

He urged the recipients to use the support responsibly and take advantage of opportunities to build sustainable businesses.

"Take the equipment and use it wisely. Grow your businesses. You are receiving an opportunity that can help you turn ideas into productive economic activity, and hopefully, it will eventually result in jobs being created for other young Namibians," Angula said.