Zebaldt Ngaruka
Nudo MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu says local timber in the two Kavango regions could be useful to sustain local entrepreneurs if properly controlled and value added.
Speaking in the National Assembly as part of his contribution to the 2026/27 national budget, Kandorozu said timber furniture can be useful in government offices in both the Kavango East and West regions.
“We have timber trees at our doorstep, yet we are importing furniture made of wood. It is strange that chairs and table cabinets are bought from Officeconomics and elsewhere,” he said.
The lawmaker wanted to know why the Namibia Training Authority “can’t be assisted with money to set up incubation centres at each of its vocational training centres to enable graduates to use the facilities to produce different products for the market.”
Also, he proposed that community members with skills be allowed to use equipment from the centres and produce for the market.
“Now we train these people; they complete levels 3, 4 or 5, but they don’t have starting capital,” he said.
Kandorozu then proposed that the government must give the Youth Credit Scheme to the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) graduates so that they can set up workshops around the country.
“This will lead the youth to start producing and creating jobs for their fellow youth, and we will start to produce things for ourselves. We have lots of entrepreneurs here in Windhoek at Compound [behind Katutura Shoprite]; there you will find all artisans with different skills,” he said.
However, the MP added that the area is not conducive for innovation, industrialisation and manufacturing.
“The budget must target those people and be helped; that place must be renovated and equipped with equipment and materials for them to start with production. If you do that, your business will boom,” he said.
Kandorozu further said that there are wood carvers at Truck Port in Windhoek who are operating in an open area coupled with rain, cold and wind.
“Let us formalise these informal businesses by helping them with grants or incentives,” he proposed.
The parliamentarian added that the Zambezi region has conservancies that are making millions from trophy hunting, yet there is no taxidermy to make trophies or any memorabilia made from game hunting.
“Why should it be brought to Otjiwarongo or Windhoek for value addition?” he asked.