Marythar Kambinda
KATIMA MULILO – The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare handed over material and equipment worth N$77 000 for income-generating activities in the Zambezi region on Thursday.
The beneficiaries are venturing into key sectors, which include manufacturing and agriculture, carpentry, leather processing tailoring/needlework, gardening and poultry.
Deputy minister Bernadette Jagger said the ministry is mandated to ensure gender equality, poverty eradication and socio-economic development of targeted groups.
Hence, the ministry strives to contribute to the improvement of lives and livelihoods through the Income Generating Activities (IGAs) support programme by encouraging women and men who are from poor communities to establish or expand their micro-enterprises.
“It is evident that through this programme, many women and men who received this support improved their earnings and created employment opportunities for others,” she said.
Jagger said the materials remain the properties of the ministry and should be used for its envisioned purpose.
She further noted it is somewhat dismaying to know that some beneficiaries benefitted through this initiative but their IGAs did not flourish, and some are no longer in operation.
“Although the business environment is not favourable for some economic sectors due to the repercussion of the Covid-19 pandemic and other economic factors, you are encouraged to work very hard, market your business, register your business and produce quality products so that you can remain in business,” stated Jagger.
Beneficiary Candy Linosi (33) started her poultry farming business in 2020 with only about 20 chicken layers.
“When the ministry first visited my project, they found me with 20 chickens – and on their second visit, I had 94 layers, leaving them impressed. The ministry advised about the possibility of expanding the space in which I kept my chickens. That is why I am very thankful for the help I am receiving today,” she said.
Lonisi encouraged young women to go into business and empower themselves.
“Let us not wait for someone to give us something; let us get our earnings through hard work,” she said.
Present at the handover was Katima Urban constituency councillor Kennedy Simasiku, who said there are a lot of people who wish to benefit from the scheme, but only a few get the opportunity.
“Once again, the ministry of gender has come to the rescue to ensure that communities, especially women, who are the most affected members of our society, benefit from this project – not just to make money but to enable them to sustain the livelihoods of our families,” said Simasiku.
Kongola constituency councillor Bennet Busihu thanked the ministry for the initiative, saying the ministry is doing a lot in terms of equipping them so that they can have something on the table.
Busihu further encouraged the beneficiaries to ensure they fully utilise their equipment, as many applied but not all can benefit from the initiative at once.
– mkambinda@nepc.com.na