By Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro WINDHOEK Ibenstein, Casa Anin, Pewa and Pambili are only a few of the names. You may wonder what they have in common? Funny that you should ask this question. These are supposed to be household names in Namibia. However, to give you the benefit of the doubt, they are the foremost Proudly Namibian companies in the fashion, textiles, beauty and accessories industries. IBENSTEIN WEAVERS Since its establishment more than half a century ago, Ibenstein Weavers has been producing hand-woven Karakul carpets and wall hangings. The last two years this family business, founded by Marianne Krafft, has also expanded and diversified into producing fabrics from various natural fibres like linen, cotton, silk and Kalahari silk. In terms of producing carpets, Ibenstein is one of the few Namibian businesses with 95 per cent of the raw materials being Namibian. Its workforce is 100 per cent Namibian. The products are of a high quality and the carpets have a lifespan of at least 30 years. They can be made to your specifications. Although the business is now well known to Namibians because of the smallness of the Namibian market, 80 per cent of the carpets and wall hangings are exported. In terms of the fabrics, recent and current exhibitions seem to be eliciting a positive response from the Namibian public. Still, there is room for improvement in terms of local support in buying the carpets, wall hangings as well as the fabrics. “In the past and at present we have been made to believe that nothing of decent quality is being produced in Namibia. Almost all consumer products are from South Africa or further abroad. This has to change. As a Namibian company, we would like Namibians to buy Namibian products first and products from other countries second. Our own well-being and that of our country depend on it,” says Wolfgang Ramdohr, emphasizing the need to buy local products, and the importance of Team Namibia of which Ibensetin Weavers is a member. The business is situated 95 kilometres south-east of Windhoek on the plot Klein Ibenstein, five kilometres south of Dordabis on the road to Uhlenhorst. It also has an outlet in the Namibia Craft Centre at 40 Tal Street in Windhoek, and is open from 06h30-12h00 and then 13h30-17h00 during winter, and in summer 07h30-13h00 and 15h00-18h30. Prices range from N$1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 656/sq.m for carpets and wall hangings inclusive of VAT, and N$95/m-N$391/m inclusive of VAT for fabrics. “If you enjoy high-quality and stylish carpets made to your specifications, and/or soft and fantastic-to-feel fabrics – something out of the ordinary – speak to us,” the company entices the public. ANIN EMBROIDERY (CASA ANIN) Anin Embroidery, situated at Bougain Villas at 78 Sam Nujoma Avenue is into manufacturing, sourcing and retailing home textiles and specializes in bend and table linen. The distinctively Namibian design and style, handmade by Namibian women, make its products Proudly Namibian. The company has been in business for close on 20 years now, and about 50 per cent of its clients are the Namibian hospitality industry. It employs 19 Namibians. It prices its products from N$22 for a napkin to N$930 for an embroidered duvet cover set. Business hours are from 09h00-17h00. It employs women in senior positions, and the continuous upgrading of staff members is a norm to which it is dedicated. PEWA BEAUTY SPECIALIST Headquarted in the heart of Katutura at Erf 2685 in Eden Street in Soweto, Pewa Beauty Specialist has been operating in the Hair and Beauty industry for the past five years. Its main aim is to offer the market comprehensive service and products, relying on local expertise and complimenting it with locally-made cosmetics and natural skin products from the Pewa Natural Products range. Its products are Proudly Namibian, since it uses locally-grown and harvested raw materials; employs 20 Namibian women and men; uses local expertise for training other young people and empowers rural women who harvest and process its oils, among others. “If we are to embrace and grow local companies such as Pewa, we will see what economic empowerment is all about and we will see more money reinvested in our immediate communities such as Pewa Health Clinic, Pewa Pre-Primary School, Pewa High School. Until we change our consumer behaviour as Namibians and start to consume what we grow and make, we will NEVER be economically independent,” the venture winner of 2006 Ongwediva Trade Fair Prize invites the public. Among the first Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to join Team Namibia, it is a proud member believing that the country’s success can only be guaranteed when local companies are supported and prioritized. Its salons are situated at 991 Ondoto Street in Okuryangava and at the Oshakati Service Station in Wanaheda. The venture boasts a Training Academy housed in Pewa Beauty House at 2411 Omongo Street in Wanaheda. Its products range from N$10 to N$45, and its services between N$5 and N$38. “Time is now. This is part of you, part of your country, and part of your future and that of your children. Embrace it now and call us to try our products. You are most welcome, and it gives us pleasure serving you. May God bless you all,” Twapewa Mudjanima lures the public. PAMBILI ASSOCIATION Pambili Association is a capacity and marketing entity focusing on fashion and interior design. It aims at empowering young designers and to elevate craft production among rural and urban communities through product development assistance and training. It thus markets all locally-produced designer products in the fashion and interior design fields by offering a highly specialized service to Namibian entrepreneurs working in the fashion and interior fields. Operating from the Namibia Craft Centre, the association also produces high-quality Namibian products in modern and contemporary styles. It shares Team Namibia’s vision of working towards the appreciation of Namibian products and services of high quality. It offers training and also produces products in Dordabis, Mangetti and Caprivi. “Look at Pambili – Namibian products are great!,” is their message.