By Charles Tjatindi
WINDHOEK
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has called on all stakeholders to join hands to tackle the challenge of unemployment.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister for Presidential affairs Albert Kawana at Namib Mills’ Silver Jubilee celebrations recently, the head of state urged the private sector to implement innovative strategies that can enable them to expand and diversify in order to create new employment opportunities. He noted that there are many investment possibilities that the private sector can explore with the view to creating wealth, imparting skills and expanding the manufacturing base of the economy.
Pohamba also applauded the management and staff of Namib Mills on the progress the company has made since its inception in 1982.
“I have learned with satisfaction about the progress that Namib Mills has scored over the years … the company has grown substantially and has opened branches, offices and warehouses in many towns across the country,” he said.
At the same occasion, the founder of Namib Mills, Pieter van Niekerk, expressed satisfaction with what his company has achieved over the years, noting that Namib Mills has been an integral part in revolutionizing the local food industry.
“When Namib Mills was established 25 years ago, all maize meal, wheat flour, pasta, animal feed was imported in train loads from South Africa. Today, Namibia has a strong vibrant and competitive milling and related food industry,” he said.
Van Niekerk noted that given Namibia’s semi-arid state, it is incumbent on farmers to devise new methods of farming that will allow them to intensify crop production.
“Our country has limited resources to produce food. The challenge which future generations of farmers have to face is to intensify crop production, to become precision farmers and be highly innovative,” said Van Niekerk.
Namib Mills has moved from an initial small plant, using mainly manual technology, to a large undertaking during the last 25 years. Its brands are firmly established locally as well as in certain African countries.
Most notably are the Top Score and Pasta Polana brands. The latter was launched in 2001.
Through the Feedmaster subsidiary, Namib Mills has become an important partner to the Namibian livestock, poultry and pig farmers – who rely on it for the supply of a wide range of feed.
The silver jubilee celebrations also served as awards ceremony for some of Namib Mills’ long serving employees. Those that have served the company for 25, 15 and 10 years were awarded certificates of service.