Pricilla Mukokobi
Isai Sipunga
What began as a humble experiment in a home garage has grown into an award-winning agribusiness venture, capturing the imagination of many Namibians. Elizabeth Kambode, founder of LizWISE Investment, was awarded N$400 000 in funding after her mahangu pasta product caught the eye of judges at the Development Bank of Namibia’s Good Business and Innovation Awards.
The company says it aims to make the pasta available in local retailers soon.
Operating from her garage in Windhoek, Kambode has been handcrafting pasta from mahangu (pearl millet), a traditional Namibian staple, since last year. After working for an Italian company in South Africa for five years, where she gained experience in the food industry, she saw a gap in the market, and took it upon herself to start making mahangu pasta.
“Everything was handmade. I literally started with my hands, without any equipment or resources to produce in larger quantities,” she said.
She said it takes less than 20 minutes to produce one kilogramme of mahangu pasta. This includes preparation, mixing, shaping and the initial stages before the pasta goes into the dehydrator.
“My target market includes health-conscious individuals, families and institutions looking for nutritious, locally-sourced food alternatives. I also cater to people with dietary restrictions, especially those seeking gluten-free options as well as schools, retailers and hospitality businesses that value supporting local products,” she said.
The entrepreneur noted that the market is growing steadily, especially with the rising awareness around healthy eating and the demand for value-added, homegrown products. Consumers are becoming more intentional about what they eat and where it comes from. There’s strong support for local innovation, and people are excited to see traditional grains like mahangu being reimagined into modern, high-quality foods.
Kambode added that every time she told people about her business, which is mahangu pasta, most didn’t understand and were always in disbelief. However, as more people learn about the health benefits of mahangu pasta, they get excited and buy it.
In addition to the mahangu pasta, “I also produce ready-made pasta sauces and mozzarella cheese to complement our local grain-based meals. I’m currently working with a small, dedicated team at LizWise Investment CC, and we’re collaborating with farmers, small processors and local suppliers.”
Her goal is not just to sell a product but to drive change to promote food security, celebrate indigenous crops, and empower rural communities through innovation and enterprise. LizWise is proudly rooted in Namibia, and driven by a vision to take local food systems to new heights, said the businesswoman.
“Winning the DBN Innovation Award is just the beginning, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Mahangu, also known as pearl millet, is a subsistence rain-fed cereal crop that is the major staple food for over 50% of the Namibian population.
The crop is produced in Zambezi, Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto and in parts of the Otjozondjupa region in the Tsumkwe area.
This crop is highly-adapted to low rainfall and the prevailing soil conditions in the north-central regions and the Kavango.
For many years, small-scale farmers have and continue to survive from mahangu.
Mahangu farmers in Namibia are among the few populations in Africa that have successfully developed an integrated food storage system where they can store their grains in omashisha (large storage baskets woven from tree twigs) up to five years.
The staple is rich in B vitamins thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), and biotin (vitamin B7). It is also rich in minerals such as iron, which is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood; magnesium, which helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis; phosphorus, which, in conjunction with calcium, helps to build bones and teeth.
The mineral helps the kidneys filter waste, keeps the heartbeat regular, helps metabolise carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and supports the development and repair of tissue and cells in the body; copper, which is essential for energy production and protects cells from the effects of free radical damage. Copper is also an important mineral that aids in strengthening connective tissue and brain neurotransmitters; manganese, which ensures healthy bone structure and bone metabolism. Manganese acts as a co-enzyme to assist metabolic progression in the body.
Other health benefits include the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, which helps absorb calcium and regulates blood sugar levels; and mahangu is high in phytic acid and phytates. Phytic acid is believed to lower cholesterol while phytates are associated with a reduced cancer risk.
As it stands, there are also local cookies and an increasing range of flour made from mahangu which is used to cook oshifima by most Namibians.