Hilma Hashange
Theodor Shithigona, a vocational graduate of the Community Skills Development Centre (Cosdec) in Tsumeb, decided to give back to his community upon completing his training at the centre.
After successfully completing his course in joinery and metal fabrication at the centre in 2017, 38-year-old Shithigona immediately set up his business called Theo Wood and Metal Fabrication CC the same year.
In order to serve his community better, he noticed that many schools offering woodwork modules lacked woodworking machines, hence he took it upon himself to provide skills development in woodwork to the youth as well as a mentorship programme to primary school learners who have Design and Technology as a subject.
“I also have Cosdec students on a part-time basis who come and do their attachments, and visit my workshop for skills development.
“My main challenge in executing such community service is limited resources in terms of the machines in my workshop, as it is unable to cater for bigger groups of vocational students and primary school pupils,” he said.
Shithigona added that he hopes to get sponsorship to acquire the needed machinery.
Even though he started his business with no start-up capital, that did not deter him to continue putting his skills to use, and providing a service to his community while generating income at the same time. He currently employs three full-time and one-part time employees.
“A business is not always a smooth journey. There will be challenges, but remain patient on your road to success as it is never overnight. My advice to those wanting to start a business is that you don’t necessarily have to be great at something to start, but you have to start to be great at it. Start your business, and acquire skills and knowledge in the process,” Shithigona advised.
Cosdec is a community-based locally -anaged skills training centre that focuses on equipping out-of-school and unemployed youth with practical skills they can use to gain employment either in the formal or informal sector. There are currently 10 Cosdec centres countrywide offering vocational training courses under the umbrella body Community Skills Development Foundation (Cosdef). The technical and vocational education training courses are accredited with the Namibia Qualifications Authority.
To address the backlog of chairs and desks in Oshikoto schools, Dundee Precious Metals recently boosted the Cosdec centre in Tsumeb with close to N$1 million to manufacture about 800 desks and 900 chairs.
The chairs and desks were manufactured by students from the joinery, metal and fabrication as well as cabinet-making classes.
The furniture will be distributed to schools around Tsumeb and will be used by over 1 000 learners.
-Hilma Hashange is an information officer with MICT Oshikoto.