Khomasdal SMEs boosted

The donation was made by the Khomas Regional Council through its income-generating activities initiative and includes tailoring machines, baking and catering equipment, design and decor items, and welding machinery.The 13 businesses are Kie Lux Designs, Sem Mbuere Trading CC, Ndalunga Tailoring, Kauko Tailoring, Nashaanda Boutique, Luise Boutique, African Prints Namibia, AK.47 Catering, Alex Media, Chicky Blitz Bakers, Ilongela-Mwene Kapana, Zealous Creations, and Ndahepele Investments CC.Speaking at the handover, chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council John Shaalukeni called on emerging entrepreneurs interested in the income-generating activities initiative to approach the council.Shaalukeni said a shortlisting process was conducted to allow transparency and urged beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and to look into creating wealth and employment opportunities for others.Khomasdal constituency councillor Samuel Angolo said a similar handover was made to 12 business owners in March last year.Angolo said the Khomasdal constituency has supported 217 small-scale businesses through the Khomas Regional Council since 2008.This initiative aims to contribute to the development efforts of the country.“The aim is to discourage dependency on the government for employment, and to promote self-reliance,” he said.Angolo said local businesses are important to the economic and social well-being of the country.“Finance has been an obstacle to many SMEs' development. We must be proud that the government has acknowledged and recognised the importance of the SME sector,” he said.He said he'd like to see SMEs producing local products for domestic consumption and export.Gideon Kalume, a beneficiary who owns African Print Namibia, said he started his business in 2016 and currently has two clothing stores in Windhoek.“The donation is helpful because we were struggling with machinery, but now that we have the equipment for our work, it means more work. It will help me recruit more young people.”Another beneficiary, Anna Angula, the founder of Zealous Creations, makes cakes for different occasions.“There will be no more delays on orders, and I will have well-prepared cakes,” she said. Angula started her business in 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.“I got tired of being at home doing nothing and decided to do something for myself. Poverty encouraged me,” she said.

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