ONGWEDIVA – Micro, small and medium enterprises in Oshikoto region received a shot in the arm through private and public partnerships during the 2022/23 financial year.
This manifests through various projects that were highlighted by the governor of Oshikoto region Penda Ya Ndakolo during his State of the Region Address earlier this week.
Among others, Ya Ndakolo highlighted direct financial a s s i s t ance and proj e c t developments by Dundee Precious Metals, COSDEC, Okashana Rural Development and local authorities in the region.
Ya Ndakolo said the partnership between Dundee, Tsumeb municipality and COSDEC led to the completion of the open market in Tsumeb. The market will provide a safe and secure environment for the vendors.
Oniipa Town Council fenced the open market and recreational facility in the town, and assisted poultry farmers with a chicken feed crusher and a hammer mill at a total of N$250 000, according to Ya Ndakolo.
He added that Dundee further collaborated with SME Compete to roll out a micro-grant pilot programme of N$200 000, which funded 20 businesses within the region.
Meanwhile, the Okashana Rural Development Centre trained 330 farmers in the areas of horticulture, poultry and piggery.
“The centre also assisted 10 micro-enterprises with table eggs at an affordable price for resale, while 20 poultry farmers were assisted with the hatching of poultry eggs to increase stock and generate more income,” said Ya Ndakolo.
Ya Ndakolo further stated that Dundee Precious Metals has assisted 19 young adults with study funding, and 46 people with apprenticeship and work-integrated learning opportunities.
A total of 39 staff benefitted from study loans for assisting employees or their qualifying next of kin.
“The total number of skills development beneficiaries is 104 people. Dundee has also supported various activities in the human development arena to the total amount of over N$1 million,” said Ya Ndakolo. Twenty students of the marginalised community, through the Division of the Marginalised Communities, have been enrolled in various tertiary institutions to fulfil the right that all children have the right to education.
There are currently 965 registered job seekers in the region and 41 job seekers have been placed in various institutions.
“I, therefore, urge job seekers who have not yet registered on the system to register,” urged Ya Ndakolo.