By Engel Nawatiseb TSUMEB The Tsumeb economy depends primarily on the commitment by the local leadership in providing the political will and support of business initiatives as well as the support by local businesses to the local Chamber of Commerce (NCCI). This was said by the newly-elected chairperson of the local branch of NCCI, Nico Kaiyamo, who is a former MP. He stated that the active participation of the business community in activities of the Chamber is crucial to the growth of the town’s economy. He was quick to point out, however, that the Chamber was not focused enough on the recent past, and consequently discouraged members from participating. However, noted Kaiyamo, training for the newly-elected executive committee members is to be provided soon to equip them with the required business skills to enable them to render professional services to its members. “Some of our members are already business executives and would require professional guidance other than that they will see a worthy cause to belong to a Chamber run by unskilled people. That is crucial to the survival of the Chamber, hence our priority to address it as soon as possible”, he stated. Kayamo encouraged new businesses, including the SME sector, to join the Chamber and, in so doing, contribute to the implementation of the revamped agenda of the Chamber. He stressed that it is evident that the municipal council, in collaboration with the local business community, is seriously concentrating on the economic development of the town. “We are definitely getting there; the town is visibly growing, and demands for the provision of services are increasing at an alarming rate. It is therefore up to all of us (stakeholders) to take each other’s hands and turn the tables around.” He stressed that the political support has been visibly provided all along but that equal support at national level should be emphasized to ensure that the whole region (Oshikoto) taps from the development of the town”. Kaiyamo expressed the need for the acceleration of the development of the Tsumeb/Katwitwi road. “We have learned about the earmarked road from some corners but are not sure whether it is still forthcoming. Our leaders should fight towards the realization of this important project because it will boost business confidence and attract more investors to be located at the strategic gateway to many corridors, including the Trans-Kunene and Trans-Caprivi Highways. He also commended agricultural farmers who have produced thousands of tons of maize as well as vegetable and fruit products for the local markets. “We have the capacity to supply our local as well as regional and national markets, as is evident from the seasonal provision of fruit produce when travelling through our town. The fruits and vegetables sold along the highways add more colour to the already admirable beauty of our town. That is a sign of teamwork and should be encouraged at all levels”, Kaiyamo added. He urged members of the local Chamber to expand their businesses and create more employment opportunities for others. Tsumeb is the only proclaimed local authority in the Oshikoto Region and is faced by an influx of many jobless people from the entire region and elsewhere. “This in itself is testimony of the great value being held by the town for its people, as well as the quality and high standard services being provided by all stakeholders. Our business community should therefore also create employment opportunities for those in other parts of the region, particularly the SAN community that hails from villages where commercial services are not rendered”. Kaiyamo noted that Ggovernment, through the SAN upgrading programme, has trained many SAN in the neighbouring Guinas Constituencies where employment is a scarcity despite the obtained qualifications in various disciplines. “I am aware that many SAN who graduated from computer skills upgrading training programmes, bakers, welders and many others are lying idle at places such as Tsintsabis, Bravo and elsewhere and who depend only on Tsumeb – being the only town in the region – to create jobs for them. Our businesses should therefore also embrace government’s efforts to train our people by providing them with employment as well”. The Chamber is currently engaged in face-to-face consultations with its membership base to solicit more input to success strategies aimed at accelerating economic growth at the town.