Artisans are like a gold mine, carpenter says

Namibians must not snub vocational training graduates, because artisans are like a gold mine and drive the country’s economy.

So says Kathy Namundjebo, the owner of Kathy’s Joinery and Renovations based at the Menarovandu municipal stalls behind Sam Nujoma Stadium at Katutura.

Namundjebo makes built-in cupboards, kitchen cupboards, dressing tables, wardrobes, beds, shoe racks, headboards and office furniture, and also does repairs.

Additionally, she does upholstery, also of school and church furniture, and other installations.

“If you are an artisan you will never go hungry, because if you cannot get a job you can create your own employment.

You can even hustle after work – that is why I say artisans are like a gold mine,” says the Swakopmund-born mother of two.

Namundjebo says she was influenced by German women carpenters she encountered at Swakopmund, and she also wanted to do something different from her siblings, some of whom are lawyers and doctors.

“I have always wanted to be a business person, so I started selling small things like sweets at the age of 12,” she says.

The entrepreneur says the minister of industrialisation and trade should encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through follow-up visits once the government has donated them equipment so they can share their challenges and successes.
Namundjebo says she received an electric cutting saw from the government in 2012.

She also calls for the return of the ‘Made in Namibia’ expo, where local SMEs exhibited their products.

“What is it that Namibians import that we cannot make? We cannot grow unless the government limits the importation of finished products. We are talented but limited by a glut of cheap imports,” she says.

She suggests that local SMEs be allowed to display some products in South African shops to give customers more options.

Namundjebo says she is passionate about training others, especially the marginalised, and has registered the Kathy Vocational Training Centre with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.

She is currently awaiting approval from the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA).

“I want to host more practicals on furniture making and take in students with disabilities. Some students have very little practical skills.”

Namundjebo says she used to offer an NTA-registered programme for students with hearing impairments, but they dropped out at level 2 because once they failed a subject at the vocational training centre (VTC), they were not funded by the NTA any more.

“They complained that their teachers at the VTC were translators of sign language who could not explain technical concepts.

I urge artisans who want to be lecturers to take up sign language so they can ensure these students are not excluded,” she says.

Namundjebo says the highlight of her career has been travelling to exhibitions in Southern African Development Community countries, where she challenged men in the industry.

“I would like to see more women taking up the trade, and I advise them to be strong despite discrimination and other challenges they may face. The must stick to their principles,” she says.

In five years’ time, she says she wants to have established more branches – particularly in the north and at the coast, as well as another training centre.

Namundjebo says president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is an inspiration to many women.

“We SMEs are tired of being subcontractors, and the government must allow us to bid for big tenders as long as we have the capacity.”
– matthew@namibian.com.na

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