Lylie Joel
NKURENKURU – John Nashongo never imagined that his journey from the newsroom to the field would lead him to believe that Kavango West could become Namibia’s ultimate food basket. The 45-year-old former Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) supervisor resigned from his media career in 2022 to pursue a lifelong dream – growing mango trees in what he calls “the most promising agricultural region in the country.”
Standing among rows of young trees on his remote farm recently, Nashongo reflected on the dramatic career change.
“I worked at NBC as a supervisor for video editors and production officers from 2007 to 2022. But it was always my interest to grow trees, and when the opportunity came, I embraced it,” he said.
The transition was sparked by an encounter involving his foster mother’s environmental trust.
While visiting supported projects, she introduced Nashongo to Winfried Metzger, the private operator of the Musese Green Scheme.
Metzger would become Nashongo’s mentor, challenging the family to start their own venture rather than just supporting others.
Transformation began in earnest in 2022. What was once dense forest has been converted into organised rows of Tommy Adkins, Keitt, and Sensation mangoes – cultivars selected specifically for their commercial potential.
“The area was previously a forest. Significant work was done, including clearing, installing irrigation pipes and tanks, and bringing in a borehole,” Nashongo said. The journey is not for the faint of heart. The trees require constant attention and are still three years away from their first harvest. One of the primary obstacles is the winter chill. “Mangoes do not tolerate temperatures below zero degrees,” Nashongo noted.
To combat this, he employs an innovative heating system – placing coal fires strategically between trees, spaced seven meters apart, to raise the local temperature by one or two degrees.
The isolation presents further hurdles. When a whirlwind recently damaged the farm’s solar setup, Nashongo had to repair it himself.
“You need to handle natural disasters on your own out here,” he admitted. Despite the risks, the project is already bearing fruit for the local community. Nashongo employs six workers who have embraced the vision. “When I first heard about growing mangoes here, I thought it was impossible because of the weather here. But seeing how Nashongo uses fires to protect the trees, I now believe this can work. This job has given me a steady income, and I’m proud to be part of something that could change our region,” said one employee.
He said before being employed by Nashongo, he struggled to find employment.
“Now I have hope that in three years, when we start harvesting, there will be even more opportunities. Nashongo treats us well and teaches us about agriculture. I never thought I would become a farmer, but now I see how important this work is for our community.”
Nashongo’s vision extends beyond his current plantation. He plans to diversify into oranges and lemons, with the ultimate goal of establishing a juice company in partnership with Metzger.
“I believe this area is the food basket of Namibia. Not everybody sees that yet,” he said.
He argues that Namibia has the potential to move from a heavy importer of fruit to a global exporter, eventually competing with mango giants like India.
Nashongo, however, said this vision requires government intervention. He pointed to the need for expanded green schemes, improved infrastructure like boreholes and solar plants, and better market access for local farmers
His transition from supervising video editors to nurturing trees is more than a personal career shift – it is a bet on the potential of Kavango West to ensure food security for generations to come. -Nampa