Old Kuisebmond hostel kitchen to be turned into entrepreneurs academy

The old compound kitchen of Walvis Bay’s Kuisebmond area will soon be transformed into an entrepreneurs academy to empower young people – especially from marginalised groups.

The Sage By Dee Entrepreneurs Academy, which was initially established in 2018, was founded by social entrepreneur and Walvis Bay resident Diana Namases (36).

She says she has been keeping an eye on the old colonial building which housed contract labourers during the apartheid years.

The dilapidated building has been standing unused since the integration of Walvis Bay into Namibia in 1994, and has since become a home to illegal tenants and a marketplace for vendors.

It is also used it as a toilet and dumpsite.

Last year, the municipality of Walvis Bay approved the lease of part of the kitchen building to Sage by Dee for the establishment of the entrepreneurs’ academy, which will be located at the western wing of the kitchen building.

“I presented the proposals to the previous council years ago. It took me about four-and-a-half years to gain access to the property.

“I am excited to finally set up Sage by Dee Entrepreneurs Academy. It will provide equipment, competency-based training, skills, mentorship, business networking sessions, entrepreneurial courses, and subsidised space to work in.

“We will collaborate on certain projects with the youth, unemployed individuals and disadvantaged community members in Namibia on short-term courses, and make them part of a team by coaching them to become business owners,” Namases says.

After working hard to obtain the right to use the building, Namases and a team of surveyors finally stood on the roof of the building on 23 March to make plans for the renovation process.

The academy’s refurbishing plans will be completed by August, and will make way for aspiring entrepreneurs in musical instruments,
DJ mixing, digital photography, wig structuring, micro-balding, perfumery, nails, make-up, fashion design, tailoring, shoe making, radio and television presenting, as well as fitness and nutrition.

Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes on Monday said he welcomed the idea if the centre is managed properly and delivers on its promised objectives.

“The youth are a valuable resource for community development. By encouraging and allowing opportunities for adult-youth collaboration, this centre could help the youth learn valuable skills and prepare them to become engaged adults.

“We are currently facing a high youth unemployment rate, as well as a drug problem. Centres such as this one will create youth empowerment, which is incredibly important. The aim is to become job creators and not just be a society of jobseekers,” he said.

Over N$500 000 will be spent on the project, and the academy is envisaged to be open by October.

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