Leather is the in-thing at Ngatumunikenaua Outfitters

THE wall in her office is plastered with certificates of advancement courses, which she has successfully attended and photographs of her at different trade fairs exhibiting her products.

The beautiful smell of processed leather wafts through the air catches one’s nostrils. As photographer Tanja Bause and myself enter into the shop at Soweto Market in Katutura, we are greeted by the soft purring of the sewing machine behind which Kaitoo Kapere of Ngatumunikenaua Real Leather Outfitters, is busy concentrating on her latest design.Kapere looks up from her work and after introducing ourselves, she starts narrating her story.Kapere who was born 40 years ago in Otjomitanda near Okakarara, said after working for someone for many years, she had the desire to grow out on her own and advance business-wise, hence she started her own business of manufacturing leather products in 2000.Kapere says she realised that there was a gap in the leather manufacturing industry, and decided to develop her business prowess in that field.All products used in the manufacturing of the goods are 100 per cent Namibian, with the leather coming from the Ondangwa Tannery.Ngatumunikenaua Real Leather Outfitters specialises in designing, polishing, manufacturing and selling leather products such as belts, wallets, handbags, briefcases and travelling bags.Prices for bags start from N$300 while jackets, which are bigger and more labour intensive, start from N$1 500.Kapere said the business had brought satisfaction in her life as it had helped asset herself as an entrepreneur, and that now she was able to travel in and outside the country on various business missions.She said with aid from the Joint Consultative Council, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, she had been able to exhibit her products at local and regional trade fairs.”The exposure from the fairs has helped in improving my business and also sharpening my entrepreneurial skills, in turn making me competent in the field,” said Kapere.Kapere has been part of exhibitors at the local trade fairs and at similar events in Botswana, Angola, Malawi and Tanzania.Products are made in line with international trends and also to clients’ specific requests.Working from Soweto Market – a hub of activity – Kapere says has been beneficial as she gets to mingle and deal with different kinds of customers and fellow businesspeople.The mother of five children, Kapere says she gets a lot of support from her husband Aaron and manages to handle her business, attending evening business classes and doing house chores.She said although there were challenges in being a full-time businesswoman and being a mother and grandmother; with help from her family, the road was a bit smoother.As photographer Tanja Bause and myself enter into the shop at Soweto Market in Katutura, we are greeted by the soft purring of the sewing machine behind which Kaitoo Kapere of Ngatumunikenaua Real Leather Outfitters, is busy concentrating on her latest design.Kapere looks up from her work and after introducing ourselves, she starts narrating her story.Kapere who was born 40 years ago in Otjomitanda near Okakarara, said after working for someone for many years, she had the desire to grow out on her own and advance business-wise, hence she started her own business of manufacturing leather products in 2000.Kapere says she realised that there was a gap in the leather manufacturing industry, and decided to develop her business prowess in that field.All products used in the manufacturing of the goods are 100 per cent Namibian, with the leather coming from the Ondangwa Tannery.Ngatumunikenaua Real Leather Outfitters specialises in designing, polishing, manufacturing and selling leather products such as belts, wallets, handbags, briefcases and travelling bags.Prices for bags start from N$300 while jackets, which are bigger and more labour intensive, start from N$1 500.Kapere said the business had brought satisfaction in her life as it had helped asset herself as an entrepreneur, and that now she was able to travel in and outside the country on various business missions.She said with aid from the Joint Consultative Council, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, she had been able to exhibit her products at local and regional trade fairs.”The exposure from the fairs has helped in improving my business and also sharpening my entrepreneurial skills, in turn making me competent in the field,” said Kapere.Kapere has been part of exhibitors at the local trade fairs and at similar events in Botswana, Angola, Malawi and Tanzania.Products are made in line with international trends and also to clients’ specific requests.Working from Soweto Market – a hub of activity – Kapere says has been beneficial as she gets to mingle and deal with different kinds of customers and fellow businesspeople.The mother of five children, Kapere says she gets a lot of support from her husband Aaron and manages to handle her business, attending evening business classes and doing house chores.She said although there were challenges in being a full-time businesswoman and being a mother and grandmother; with help from her family, the road was a bit smoother.