In Ongulumbashe, an informal settlement of Windhoek, upcoming entrepreneur Boniface ‘Siyabonga’ Sbonnie is carving out a living through creativity and resilience, transforming makalani tree seeds into handmade key holders that have become his main source of income.
Using makalani seeds, which are carefully peeled, cleaned and shaped, Sbonnie produces unique key holders that are both environmentally friendly and locally made. Each piece is finished by hand, a process he says requires patience and attention to detail.
According to the 23-year-old, he produces an average of 60 key holders a day, which he sells for N$90.00 each. The profits he makes from selling those handmade key holders allows him to afford a life in Windhoek, making it a mean of survival.
“This is what I depend on here in Windhoek, since I arrived from my home town (Rundu). Jobs are scarce in Windhoek and Namibia as a whole, so instead of waiting for the government to provide jobs, I just decided to start my own thing to help with my survival in the city,” he said.
He says he learned the skills from his uncle who was a skilled a carpenter back in the days. He further explained that the idea was born out of the need to create a sustainable income after leaving his previous job.
“After working six months as a security guard, I decided to take up this craft work as my main job in Windhoek. I was not happy at my previous job and I would always struggle mentally as I was not getting along with my previous bosses, which made me just go ahead with doing my childhood hobby,” he said.
Despite the progress, the young entrepreneur faces several challenges. Among them is the lack of sufficient resources to acquire better equipment, which limits his production capacity and affects the speed at which he can meet customers’ needs.
“I could expand this business if I had better equipment. The money I make in a month can’t still afford me the advanced equipment, as it’s the same amount of money I use to pay my rental, buy food and pay a couple of bills. I do not make much but it’s good to carry me through the high life of Windhoek,” he said.
Sbonnie also pointed out that access to funding and support for small informal businesses remains a challenge, adding that many young entrepreneurs struggle to grow due to limited capital.
He also said his products are sold directly to customers in Windhoek and relies largely on word of mouth to attract buyers. He hopes to supply local craft markets, tourism outlets and souvenir shops soon.
Looking ahead, Sbonnie says his long-term goal is to expand the business, create employment for other young people, and promote locally made products using natural materials.
“I want this to grow into something bigger, not just for me but for others as well. There is so much potential in my business, but I have little support. We hope to change the landscape of craft making in Namibia and I am excited about the future,” he said.
One of his customers, Muronga Augustinus, praised the young man on his talent. “We would make the world better if we started supporting our own local businesses. I love the pieces this young man has been creating, and you can tell he is a talent individual who could go far if he gets support and help. These are the guys we should always rally behind for the ideas as they could possibly employ more locals,” he said. – mkambukwe@nepc.com.na