WALVIS BAY – An ambitious 25-year-old man from Kuisebmond, Johannes Shitaleni, whose dreams of owning a business has made him a version of Namibia’s ‘Silicon Valley entrepreneur.’ The comparison to the US’ young, and wealthy, entrepreneurs in information and technology field based in the Silicon Valley, California, USA, might be a stretch. However, Shitaleni’s dedication to succeed in the IT field warrants the comparison and he says starting a business from scratch is no child’s play as it requires hard work and commitment.
Shitaleni is an information and technology graduate from Institute for Open Learning (IOL) and is currently running his own information and technology (IT) shop in Kuisebmond. His services include computer and cellphone repairs, programming and updating devices as well email, copy and fax services to the residents of Kuisebmond. He already developed a passion for his trade during his final year at school, 2007.
“I gathered all my savings and finally opened a small shop in the Nathaniel Maxuilili shopping centre in Kuisebmond in 2012”, Shitaleni said in an interview with New Era last week. He did not want to work for someone else after graduating and soon started to look for ways how he could set up his own business.
Shitaleni says that he started saving money while running his business. “I started saving money to construct my own workshop. I completed it early this year at my house,” he explained of his premises in Coris Street just behind the Ekutu Single Quarters in Kuisebmond.
Although many find it odd that he is operating a first class business in Kuisebmond, Shitaleni says that he is happy with it.
“The main reason why I opened my business in Kuisesmond is simply because many of our people will not go the extra mile to get services that are only available in town. This time around it is at your door step, you do not need to fork out money for taxi to reach quality services,” he explained.
According to Shitaleni the reason why he ventured into such a business is simply because the world nowadays is more advanced and the use of electronics has become a necessity for most business operations and everyone needs these sort of services. “Electronic devices such as computers and phones needs servicing from time to time. This means that one can capitalise on it and make it into a thriving business. Not only for me but anyone who ventures into IT, he explained.
He wishes to expand his shop, especially to the north as well as in Windhoek.
“It is challenging to start a new business. The biggest challenge I faced while setting up my business was the start-up capital. It was a bit hard as one had to go look for loans from banks and other financial institutions. Many of us don’t make it as we don’t have collateral to qualify. In my case I decided to do it without outside financing and it paid off,” Shitaleni said.