WINDHOEK - A barber and printing shop owner in Windhoek’s informal settlement lights his business using a huge solar panel.

The business, Wiye Investment situated along Julius Nyerere Street in Ongulumbashe informal settlement is owned by 32-year-old Ludavikus Haininga Kativa.

The settlement does not have electricity and residents fetch water from nearby communal taps.
“The more you wait for electricity (informal settlement electrification), it will take time,” said Kativa who started his business in 2013 after leaving his job at a vehicle spare parts retailer.

Kativa explained the 260 watts solar panel, 1000 voltage is connected to two batteries that is connected to the inventor then to the plugs that supplies power to printer, laptops and shaving machines amongst others. With interest in becoming an entrepreneur, Kativa wants to expand and open a spare parts business. But he says without capital and collateral to get a loan, he instead opened a shop and barber while shelving his business plan for now.

At his current business, Kativa over printing, word processing, photocopying and cellphone charging services to resident charging N$3.00 per cellphone. Kativa employs two young assistants to help in the operations of the solar-powered barbershop.

“Most of the time, people from the area travelled long distances to acquire services. And I established there were no such services provided here so I decided start the business,” said Kativa adding that students make use of his services to print and type assignments.

Students also make use of the internet at the business.
The business opens seven days a week from 08h00 to 20h00.