Omuthiya
Entrepreneurs in the Oshikoto Region have vowed to uphold the mandate to create jobs and turn their businesses into big entities that can uplift the socio-economic status of communities in areas they operate in.
These sentiments were shared by entrepreneurs who benefited from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare’s income generating activity initiative. The scheme intends to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship among communities so as to create employment opportunities, as well as strengthen the earning capacity of community members.The Ministry of Gender Equality donated equipment worth N$265 000 to 19 beneficiaries hailing from all nine constituencies of Oshikoto Region. The equipment includes fridges and stoves, gardening and welding equipment, sewing machines and information technology equipment, among others. “The ministry encourages community members to embark on economically viable projects that could be sustained in the long run. Hence, the ministry provides start-up funds, which are complemented by training in basic business management skills as an incentive toward ensuring efforts, which contribute to poverty alleviation,” said Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka.
She emphasised that the primary purpose of the initiative is to support micro-projects in both rural and urban areas in order to improve earning capacity and eventually transform local firms into big corporations.
“The benefits accumulated from the project will be ploughed back in the business to grow on a sustainable basis. And this equipment remains the property of the government and may be transferred to other projects, or withdrawn from the project after assessments by the ministry on their use,” stressed Sioka.
In the same vein Sioka cautioned the recipients of equipment aid that “under no circumstances shall the beneficiary sell, rent, donate or transfer the equipment to a third party without written consent from the ministry, nor shall the beneficiary take it upon himself to repair the equipment without the ministry’s knowledge.”
Sioka further explained that the initiative caters mainly for disadvantaged Namibians, 18 years of age and older, who do not have collateral to acquire a business loan, as well as those who are physically challenged and have business ideas, that are economically viable and have the potential to provide employment.
Oshikoto Governor Henock Kankoshi noted that the application process is somewhat cumbersome, as the ministry is overwhelmed with thousands of applications. He said in this context the beneficiaries should consider themselves lucky.
“They’re not only yours alone, but it’s another form of you taking the services closer to the people in the communities where you operate,” he said.
The application process normally runs from January to April yearly.
Elina Kapembe, who resides in the rural outskirts of Engodhi Constituency, runs a meat and fish shop. She received a gas fridge and said she hopes to employ more people, as she already has two employees. However, she noted that the lack of electricity in their areas has been the main challenge, as she relies on gas, which is expensive and runs out fast due to the nature of her business. “I’ve been inspired to start a meat and fish shop due to the high need for food among the people in our area, considering the looming drought. Thus, I am here to help,” said an optimistic Kapembe.
In conclusion, Sioka assured the beneficiaries that they would not be left in isolation, as the ministry of gender would assist them for as long as the projects are deemed viable and show signs of progress.