Heather Erdmann
At just 24 years old, Ndapewa Gift Niilenge decided to ditch the wait-and-see approach often employed by many and instead take action, albeit with limited resources and opportunities at her disposal.
She is part of a growing group of young Namibians turning to small-scale manufacturing as formal employment becomes increasingly uncertain. With Namibia’s unemployment rate currently estimated at 36.9%, one of the highest in the Southern African region, many are choosing to build their own income streams rather than wait for opportunity.
“Young people are not a burden. They are our greatest opportunity,” President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said about youth empowerment and job creation under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Niilenge, a Windhoek-based entrepreneur and single mother, left her formal employment in October last year to focus full-time on Ombili Glow, a handcrafted candle business she started on 24 April 2024 at 23 years with a basic candle starter kit. Her decision reflects a broader shift among young Namibians, particularly women, toward micro enterprises driven by skill, creativity and direct-to-consumer sales.
When entering the studio, one is greeted by brightly coloured candles with intricate details, paired with a warm, sweet French vanilla scent drifting softly through the air, defining Ombili Glow’s aesthetic.
“I realised I was building someone else’s dream and postponing my own,” Niilenge said. Gift, as she is affectionately known, initially, as a childhood dream, aspired to become a medical doctor one day.
She later shifted her focus to crafting niche, high-quality candles not widely available in Namibia.
After a year of balancing full-time work at a cash loan’s legal department, gym sessions, and long candle-making hours, she resigned on 15 October 2024 to devote herself entirely to Ombili Glow.
Leaving a stable income meant she had to embrace uncertainty, particularly as a single mother relying entirely on sales and seasonal demand.
“Candle-making is all about energy transference for me. I don’t work on candles when I’m having a bad day because I don’t want that energy to transfer to my customers. Every candle is poured with intention. I speak life over my candles before they leave my hands”, said Nillenge, a moment she shares while carefully removing a candle from a silicone mould.
The process
Behind the calm, aesthetic appeal of Ombili Glow lies a precise and demanding production process. While there are four types of wax to work with: beeswax (premium and expensive), paraffin (inexpensive)and soy, she primarily uses soy wax for its environmental friendliness and lower toxicity. The wax is melted to between 65 and 68 degrees Celsius, then poured into silicone moulds at 40 to 45 degrees. Candles rest for 12 to 48 hours before demoulding, after which they are trimmed, smoothed and placed on shelves to continue curing for two weeks, a compulsory step before sale. Customer orders require a minimum of three weeks’ notice.
Her tools include wooden spoons, large and small wax pots, thermometers, pouring jars, essential oils, colour dyes, heat guns, wicks, silicone moulds and custom-designed packaging. While she initially sourced boxes from China, she later selected custom packaging during a trip to Cape Town. Her favourite part of the process is demoulding, a therapeutic step she often shares with her son, making it both a bonding and skills-transfer moment.
Ombili Glow offers several candle ranges. The Fun Collection includes roses, teddy bears, hearts and couple candles. The Classic Collection features diamond pillar, wavy, chevron, basket twirl, tall fluted, spiral and tapered basket candles. Herbal candles incorporate bay leaves, cinnamon, lavender, rosemary and cloves, designed for detox or meaning-based use. The brand also offers a Latte Range and custom candle flower bouquets for weddings, birthdays and special occasions. Orders require a minimum of five items.
Prices range across collections. Big Heart candles are priced at N$144 each, Tall Fluted at N$146, and Diamond Pillow at N$234. Smaller novelty items, such as rose candles, sell for N$55, while custom candle floral bouquets are priced at N$800.
Niilenge’s candles are available online via Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp, with her website set to launch soon. She has also exhibited her work at the recent Christmas market that was on 5-6 December 2026, selling out all products.
Niilenge credits her support team as “destiny helpers.”
This includes her father (mentor), brother, who designed the Ombili Glow logo, and her two little sisters assisting during events.
Niilenge’s brand is not just about sales. “My dream is to give back 10% of my business proceeds to support the Havana Charity Group, and build an orphanage,” she said.
“Failing would be giving up, and I can’t afford to give up,” she said.
Photo: Heather Erdmann