Factories for Namibia’s Future

We often talk about money and opportunities for young people.

But knowing that money is available is only the first step. The real question is: What can we build with it?

To move from worry to action, we must picture the factories we can create. Manufacturing is a wide field, and for Namibian young people, the chance lies in adding value to what we already have and replacing what we import.

Agro-processing is one of the biggest opportunities.

Namibia imports too much processed food – tomato sauce, cooking oil, fruit juice, and peanut butter.

The youth can change this by processing fruit and vegetables into canned goods, juices, and dried snacks.

We can produce cheese, yogurt, and butter from local milk, and we can mill maize and mahangu into flour and baked goods for shops and export.

Furniture and woodwork is another area. We have strong wood, but most of our furniture is imported. Young people can build modern furniture factories for hotels, lodges, and export.

We can also produce durable school and office furniture for government tenders, ensuring our own schools and ministries are supplied by Namibians.

The textile industry can rise again. The youth can create factories for school uniforms, corporate wear, and police or military uniforms.

We can also build fashion brands with Namibian-inspired designs that reach stores across southern Africa.

Construction materials are another gap. We import too many building materials, yet we are a nation under construction. Youth can produce roofing tiles, bricks, and eco-friendly blocks.

We can manufacture paints and sealants from local minerals and fabricate steel products for construction projects. Namibia also has natural ingredients that can be turned into high-value products.

The youth can manufacture organic cosmetics from marula oil, devil’s claw, and inara melon.

We can produce detergents, bleach, and cleaning supplies for our own supermarkets instead of relying on multinational brands.
But beyond new ideas, we must also advance what we already have in existence.

Many industries are here, but they are not fully developed. Let us strengthen them, expand them, and make them ours.

Let us create employment instead of waiting to be employed. It is rare to find a Chinese person working for a Namibian, but if we could build strong industries, they would literally work for us.

It is time to change the tables. These are not just business ideas. They are steps toward economic freedom.

For too long, we have worked in industries owned by others. We have climbed ladders built by foreigners. Now it is time to build our own ladder.

Let us not always expect foreigners to create jobs for us. Employment begins with me, and when I take the first step, others will follow.

Namibia’s industries must be run by Namibians – not because foreigners are here, but because we must learn ownership and leadership ourselves.

The National Youth Fund gives us the first rung of the ladder.

Our ideas, teamwork, and drive will build the rest.

Imagine factories owned by young people from Ongwediva, Keetmanshoop, and Katutura.

Imagine Namibia not only competing internationally, but setting the standards.

Let’s stop waiting for jobs. Let’s start creating jobs. Let’s build the factories.

The time is now.

– Festus Sheetekela is a youth leader.

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