EnterPrize 2009: Six finalists battle it out

SUCCESS stories across the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector are told by this year’s finalists in the EnterPrize competition – from information technology, fast food and tourism to textile and cleaning services.

Six SMEs have been shortlisted for the prize and the winner will be announced at the EnterPrize 2009 award breakfast December 1.This year’s event is sponsored by Old Mutual Namibia.ONE-STOP I.T. SHOPClocknet Technology Centre cc, established by Regina Shikongo in 2005, is a one-stop IT shop in Windhoek.Serving Government and private sector clients, the company provides computer training, hardware and software sales, network installations and computer hardware repairs. Shikongo, a ‘struggle kid’ born and growing up in Angola, tackled the challenges of breaking into a market dominated by established firms with financial muscle with a fine-tuned approach: first prospective clients are identified, meetings set up and presentations made to demonstrate professionalism, focus and optimal service delivery. Through adopting such a structured approach the firm has established business relationships that regularly result in securing repeat orders. The business currently employs six staff, but plans are in place to expand operations in the new year. This will result in new jobs being created. Shikongo has not forgotten the many challenges encountered on the way.She started a networking group that regularly brings together budding or novice entrepreneurs. They then share challenges, discuss remedial action, hatch ideas and support each other to grow business.CAMPING WITH A CONSCIENCEIn-Tents Namibia is the brainchild of Hilma Ausiku, who realised the need for a reliable rental service for camping equipment at Rundu in 2003.She quit her job as an administrative clerk at the Rundu College of Education and started with only three tents. Today the business owns ten marquees, 500 chairs and 55 tables. Her customers include locals, as well as people from Angola. With an ever-growing demand, Ausiku opened a branch in Nkurenkuru, and plans to open at Katima Mulilo and Oshakati are underway. In-Tents Namibia currently employs seven people. Ausiku believes it is the obligation of every Namibian to take care of the environment and feels that by renting tents at an affordable rate, residents in that part of Namibia will refrain from cutting trees to make an ‘etaratara’, the vernacular for a shelter used for various functions and cultural events. As part of corporate social responsibility the firm regularly makes available tents, free of charge, to the needy for funerals, gatherings by church groups and for school functions.FAST FOOD HEAVENJohann de Beer and Rentia Louw realised their shared dream of opening a popular franchise restaurant at Rosh Pinah in March this year when they opened the Wimpy in the town.Both have extensive experience in the hospitality industry – Louw as a caterer and De Beer from working in hotels in Windhoek and the United Kingdom. It wasn’t an easy road, but both remained positive about the impact their business was going to have on the local economy of Rosh Pinah. Following their success, they have expanded operations. Deep-fried chicken was added to the menu, and a delivery service was introduced to one of the mine sites about 20 kilometres north of the town where about 1 000 people work. The business currently employs 15. Although compelled to abide by specified operational systems of the Wimpy franchise, the restaurant routinely demonstrates that it goes beyond what is required of it in terms of environmental matters and corporate social responsibility – not only in terms of waste disposal, but also when it comes to supporting less privileged members of the local community.HOME AWAY FROM HOMERonald and Melvina Nicol-Wilson opened Melrile Guesthouse in Windhoek West early in 2008.They started with six rooms, but now offers 11 double, twin-bedded and single rooms. Meals other than breakfast are offered on request, with self-catering and laundry services also available. There is also a mini-gym and an outside entertainment area.The couple, both educators originally from West Africa, market their guesthouse via a website (www.melrileguesthouse.com), a link on the social website Facebook and by distributing brochures. But client referrals and return visits by happy patrons still constitute the mainstay of the business. As part of social responsibility the owners have de-bushed a riverbed behind their premises. Trees on the riverbank are routinely pruned, much to the joy of other residents and property owners in the suburb. CLOTHING THE NATIONNamib Clothing is a coastal-based business operating in the apparel and textile sector with 50 fulltime employees.The company’s majority shareholder and Chief Executive is Grace Rudolph, a nurse by profession. She has been actively involved in community activity for decades and for several years was Chairman of the Swakopmund branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI). Rudolph is assisted by a team comprised of skilled garment manufacturers and supervisors. The business also provides work experience opportunities for youngsters, as it routinely provides job attachments for training institutions around Namibia. Employees are regularly up-skilled by way of ongoing on-job training.Namib Clothing manufactures and markets uniforms and protective clothing to public sector clients including the Namibian Police and Defence Force, Correctional Services and Immigration. Protective garments are also produced according to specific requirements for private sector customers like Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium, Areva, Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), Navachab Mine and TransNamib. The company recently entered the export arena when it secured a contract in neighbouring Angola. IT PAYS TO CLEANErastus Amenya, who started his working life as a policeman, wanted to start his own business for as long as he can remember.Following the opening of Skorpion Zinc, Amenya approached the management with an offer to provide a vehicle and equipment cleaning at the mining site. The business proposal was accepted and this marked the launch of his business career. Securing a contract from Skorpion Zinc was not just a dream come true, but the launch pad for his career in business, Amenya said. He soon identified the need for a carwash facility at Rosh Pinah, and approached the owner of the local service station with a proposal. Once again it was accepted. The firm bought equipment to expand the scope of cleaning services and now offers upholstery and carpet cleaning services too. Amenya has continuously grown business and created employment in the process. Profits generated are ploughed back into the business to fund growth and to acquire tools and equipment. Recently Amenya started the first laundromat at Rosh Pinah.