Entrepreneurship at Grassroots Level

Informal sector growth is noticeable at Gobabis, Otjinene surely ranks as one of Namibia’s cleanest villages, and Omitara settlement urgently needs grassroots economic development support.

That’s an overview gained from working at the cutting edge of entrepreneurship in the Omaheke region this week.

Driving economic development from the grassroots up by finding ways that build diverse and innovative-driven inclusive results in the crafting of impactful local economic development (LED) strategies is important.

Adding learning experiences through skills development and mentorship for emerging entrepreneurs, supported by the cultivation of an enterprise development mindset among public officials then becomes an LED-accelerating mechanism.

Created at the back of a government building in serious need of repair, the O-Space is a business incubation facility in the town’s central business district.

In sharp contrast with the dilapidated and poorly managed Namibia Industrial Development Agency Small and Medium Enterprises Business Park down the road, Gobabis O-Space is an innovation worthy of replication by other towns serious about developing entrepreneurship at grassroots level.

Reportedly an initiative of the Omaheke regional governor, O-Space provides workspace for young Namibian artisans with a desire to become work providers rather than job seekers.

One hopes the tastefully developed facility will be expanded and that similar O-Space centres will be built at the townships of Gobabis.

It is factual that nothing works better for an entrepreneur, in terms of generating income and creating jobs, than being close to customers – provided with affordable workspace and growth support services such as mentorship and skills honing, where the business really is and not where officials tend to ‘think’ it is.

Situated about 170km north of Gobabis and off the usual tourist route, Otjinene village is working on graduating to a fully fledged town council.

A previous visit was rather rushed, but this time better planning left more time to explore and to engage with entrepreneurs operating enterprises in Otjinene’s informal and formal sectors.

It was such a refreshing experience meeting Ritiza Piet, who provides a carpentry and joinery service.

Soft-spoken and humble, the young lady gave a colleague and I a tour of the well-organised and clean workshop of her little business, RP Joinery.

No tool was out of place, timber recovered from recycling wooden pallets bought from a local supermarket was well stored for future use, and work-in-progress was proudly displayed to reflect quality workmanship.

Piet could not contain her pride in being selected as a participant in this year’s MTC 4 Life, an innovative skills development programme for young Namibians, that was introduced three years ago and is sponsored annually by Namibia’s leading mobile telecommunications company.

As previously stated, Otjinene must rank as one of the country’s cleanest urban areas – not a discarded bottle, tin can or plastic bag in sight. Kudos to the village administration.

To meet with Gervasius Isaak at his brick- and building block-making enterprise, Omisa Bricks, meant travelling through part of Omitara settlement – where poverty and hopelessness stares one in the face.

Isaak is over the moon with the support he has received through MTC 4 Life to start his enterprise, which he believes not only holds wealth and job-creating potential for the settlement, but will spur other youngsters to explore income generating opportunities.

Can there be any doubt that supporting entrepreneurship at grassroots level makes social and LED sense?

– Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.