TSUMEB – Fritz Gawaseb (35), cognizant of the acute shortage of jobs, has taken it upon himself to do something and he now makes a living from wooden pallets.
Gawaseb collects pallets that are disposed of by companies such as Ohorongo Cement, Build It and other retailers in the area and uses the pallets to make beds, chairs and other wooden furniture.
The entrepreneur works a full time job as a shop clerk at Kompack Packaging, where he started three years ago.
“I cannot survive on my salary alone,” said Gawaseb the father of three children – two sons and a daughter.
“It was initially my uncle’s business, so I decided to take it up after he had gone because people would always come by the house asking about the beds and chairs my uncle made,” he added.
The self-proclaimed carpenter said that the business is thriving as his products are bought almost immediately after their completion. His double beds cost N$400, single beds cost N$250 and three-quarters cost N$350.
“I see this business growing bigger and better and in future I intend to hire people to come and assist me because as it stands, I am the one responsible for doing everything with no assistants,” he enthused.
The home-made furniture mostly comprises of beds and tables, however Gawaseb has not limited his business ideas and has now ventured into making tombstones.
The major problems facing the upcoming business include the lack of proper tools, a workshop as well as a lack of materials. “I use the nails I pull out of the pallets to make my beds because money to buy brand new nails is not there,” added Gawaseb.
By John Travolter Matali