By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Prime Minister Nahas Angula has urged Namibians, especially those from previously disadvantaged communities, to take up leadership positions and take on the tasks of managing successful and sustainable enterprises. The Premier said this when he inaugurated the new office premises of Africa Directory Services (A.D.S.) and launched the 2006 edition of Business Namibia. The Prime Minister commended the Chairperson of A.D.S. Tshoombe Ndadi for his valuable contribution to the country’s post-independence development and progress. Ever since 1989, Tshoombe has been instrumental in creating opportunities for many other young Namibians to join in his printing business and thereby building the much needed skills and expertise. Over the years, as someone who rose out of a previously disadvantaged background, Tshoombe is known to have steered a printing company, Namprint, from its origins as a Swapo print shop to a well-known establishment providing standard print solutions and security printing facilities. Ultimately, he also realised the importance of information for a young democratic country and set up Aim Publications in Windhoek, which later changed to a fully-fledged publishing operation, African Directory Services (A.D.S.). Furthermore, when Telecom Namibia put out a tender for the publishing of its directory and Yellow Pages, the local entrepreneur grabbed this opportunity with both hands, exceeding revenues by 40 percent. For the past couple of years, A.D.S. has invested in dedicated directory publishing technology, harnessing and developing skills of its workforce to such an extent that the company now provides full directory publishing services to the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. Word has it that A.D.S. will soon be expanding its services to North Africa. Citing this as a remarkable achievement, the Prime Minister said that support should be given where a business is “exporting skills and technology and has established itself as an industry leader in the fields in the region” . However, it became apparent that the output capabilities of this technology remain underutilised. Yet the Premier noted that with more understanding about the power and usefulness of such technology the capabilities would be developed further. At the same occasion, Prime Minister Angula also launched the second edition of the annual digest titled ‘Business Namibia.’ As an entirely self-financed initiative under A.D.S., the publication provides a detailed view of Namibia’s corporate and public sector environment, development in the country’s main economic sectors and caters for more wealth opportunities. Currently it has a circulation of 10 000 copies distributed to a network of economic partners and business people across Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Other clients include Namibia’s commercial offices, diplomatic missions and Namibia Tourism Board offices abroad. The main theme of the 2006 edition is promoting Namibia’s tourism sector. It is seen as a guiding tool to promote the country in light of the country and region’s run-up to the 2010 World Cup. The publication contains a detailed article on the work of the African Union and its programme, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, as well as developments on the Inga Power Project, in which Namibia is a key player.