Innovative Katutours is Katubrilliant

AN innovative business initiative offering tourists the opportunity to learn the history of Katutura and its people on bicycles received start-up capital from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) innovation fund.

‘When a person thinks innovation they think originality, newness, uniqueness or freshness. Yet very few people are willing to take a chance on an innovative business idea, particularly one that has never been tried or heard of before. Anna Mafwila, who decided to tread where many would not, was an exception to the rule when she decided to start Katutours,’ DBN said in a statement. Mwafila, who had worked in the tourism industry for 12 years before she started Katutours two years ago, said the ‘idea was to offer something different, create an environment that would bring people closer together’.Katutours provides an opportunity for tourists to get a firsthand experience of Katutura, the former township that many describe as the heart of Windhoek. The route through Katutura offer tourists plenty of opportunities to see local lifestyle and culture. Mwafila explains: ‘Tourists usually spend most tours sitting in vehicles, and I want to give them a different experience during their visit to Namibia and show them that it is not only about landscapes, but that there is an interesting community right here that has so much to share and teach.’Katutours will also target corporate companies that Mwafila hopes will use tour services for team-building exercises, and as a learning opportunity for Namibians or other interested parties not well acquainted with Katutura.Mwafila is looking to strengthen and build Katutours, with a vision to create employment and move to other areas of town, such as Khomasdal and other parts of Windhoek. The vision does not end there, she adds.’When Katutours is fully accessible in Windhoek, I would like to move out to other parts of the country like the North, maybe even turn the business into a franchise.’