After suffering personal loss and health setbacks, local entrepreneur Alexine Kavari is finding her feet again, thanks to her own determination and a helping hand from a government initiative aimed at supporting small businesses.
Kavari, the owner of Semalekav Catering and Restaurant, was one of 18 entrepreneurs who received tools and equipment during the fifth Income Generating Activities (IGA) materials handover ceremony held in Katutura East last week.
The items, valued at N$265 000 in total, are part of a broader effort to support grassroots businesses. So far, the programme has helped 62 projects with over N$1.1 million in materials and equipment.
For Kavari, the support came at just the right time.
“My business started from a place of pain. My husband passed away from COVID in 2021. He originally registered the business. It was a welding and renovation company back then,” she said.
Soon after his passing, Kavari became ill herself. She was in and out of quarantine and eventually had to stop working after nearly two decades in the catering industry.
“I honestly, thought I wouldn’t make it,” she admitted.
“But one day, I woke up and decided I had to do something. I had all the knowledge, the experience. It was time to start again,” she added.
With nothing but determination, she began baking bread and selling Oros juice from her car, going door to door in her Katutura neighbourhood. Bit by bit, the small business began to grow.
“I saved enough to buy a second stove. Then I heard about stalls becoming available at the SME Incubator. I applied, and thankfully, my documents were all in order,” she said.
She now runs her business fulltime from her stall, where she also employs one staff member. It is something she is especially proud of.
“This support means everything. It is not just equipment. It is a chance to grow, to create jobs, and to build something for myself and my community,” she shared.
Despite facing challenges such as limited marketing and tough competition, Kavari remains optimistic.
“It is not always easy, but where I started is not where I am now. I am moving forward,” said the entrepreneur.
Her message to other aspiring business owners is simple.
“Don’t sit back and think these opportunities aren’t for you. Register your business, apply when the time comes, and believe in what you’re building,” she said.