Dinapama Managing Director David Namalenga, has taken a dig at Namibia’s procurement, saying it enriches importers to the detriment of local manufacturers and producers.
Namalenga registered his dissatisfaction yesterday during information minister Emma Theofelus’ visit to Dinapama. According to Namalenga, most local manufacturers are losing opportunities to suppliers who import products from countries such as China and South Africa.
“You are giving tenders to suppliers and not manufacturers. Containers are coming in while local people are left behind,” he said.
The business leader also warned that constant changes in tender allocations make it difficult for companies to grow and sustain jobs.
“How do you sustain workers if one company is destroyed today and another one is created tomorrow?” he asked.
The discussion comes as the Procurement Act is being reviewed, with calls for changes that will better support local businesses and create decent jobs for Namibians.
He said procurement policies should measure how many jobs a company creates before contracts are awarded.
“If we give you this tender, how many people are we helping through employment?” he asked.
According to Namalenga, public procurement remains one of the biggest drivers of economic growth around the world and should be used to support local manufacturers.
He argued that countries such as the United States and China use public procurement to grow local industries and create jobs, while Namibia continues to rely heavily on imported products.
Yesterday, Theofelus visited Dinapama to learn more about the company’s operations and its contribution to local manufacturing and job creation.
Dinapama is a 100% Namibian-owned custom garment manufacturer founded in 2009, with operations starting in 2010. The company has grown into one of the country’s leading garment manufacturers and currently employs more than 500 Namibians.
During the visit, Theofelus toured the factory and met with management and workers to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing local manufacturers.
Speaking during the visit, Theofelus praised the company for creating jobs and supporting Namibian families.
“We are invited by Tatiana Malenka and the team to come and see your operations. This is not only as an encouragement to the work that you are doing and the service that you are giving the Namibian people, but also to appreciate truly Namibian companies that are making a difference in the community,” she said.
The minister said Dinapama’s ability to employ over 500 Namibians shows the important role local businesses play in strengthening households and the economy.
“You are not only supporting individuals; you are supporting families. You are supporting households,” she said.
Theofelus also praised the workers, especially young people and women, for their dedication and hard work.
“The hard-working spirit of young Namibians and young women that I see on this factory floor shows how people are working hard to support their families and contribute to the country,” she added.
She further said government leaders must support local manufacturers and help them grow beyond Namibia’s borders.
“Why should Namibia be the limit? Why can’t Dinapama expand to Angola or Zambia?” she asked.
The visit highlighted the importance of supporting local industries that create jobs, develop skills and contribute to Namibia’s economy.
One speaker said the current procurement system is failing to support businesses that create jobs and grow the economy.
“The numbers tell us something is not right. Our procurement system does not fairly speak to economic progress,” he said.
According to the discussion, Namibia has around 115 000 employers on record, despite having many businesses operating in the country.
He said there is a difference between businesses that only exist to enrich individuals and businesses that help grow the national economy through employment creation and manufacturing.
“There are people who develop businesses just to live a life, and there are those who develop businesses to grow the economy,” he said.
Concerns were also raised about the awarding of tenders to companies that import goods instead of manufacturing locally.
The factory visit also highlighted concerns over youth unemployment, with speakers questioning why highly educated young Namibians continue to struggle to find jobs.
Namalenga said it is worrying to see people with university degrees remaining unemployed while local manufacturers are overlooked.
He called for the government, corporate Namibia and the private sector to work together to strengthen local industries and grow the country’s manufacturing sector.