Monday, 22 March 2021

Namibian entrepreneurs making wave in the marketplace

The unemployment rate in Namibia is increasing by leaps and bounds day by day.   Despite many challenges dedicated  entrepreneurs always work tirelessly to make an end meet. 

In an effort to sustain his business, Omuthiya based entrepreneur Hellen Amutenya is willing to make his hands dirty to provide for his family.

Amutenya who is a full-time teacher at one of the local school in Omuthiya believe that being a side hustler enable him to earn extra income to run his business and house affairs. 

Jack of all trades
Jack of all trades: Hellen Amutenya pictured at his business 

He stated that his monthly salary was not enough to cater for all his needs thus he opened his Oshitenda Tyre business in 2006 which offer services like tyre fixing and fitting, buying and selling new and second-hand tyres just to mention a few . 


"I had a friend back then, he used to  work at Tren Tyres in Windhoek when visiting his  workplace i observed how it is done until i catch up. That's then i decided to open my own tyre shop. ", said the self-taught tyre fitter.  

Amutenya  further added that he give  on-job training to his four employees. His main aim is to combat the increase number of crime due to youth  unemployment.


He urged upcoming entrepreneurs to invest into their business  ideas then the government can reach them halfway.    


"People don't have to always rely on the government for everything. I do offer job to everyone regardless of their social or educational background.  I want to extend my business  to be a one stop  tyre shop that   operate for 24 hours in the near future. ", says Amutenya.  

Sakeus Nakanyala,32, was only in Grade 11 when his father gifted him with a hair clipper . After completing grade 12 in 2009, Nakanyala decided to start his  barbershop which is located at the heart of Omuthiya town. 


Speaking about the challenges  encountered, he stated that he suffered a big loss since Covid-19 outbreak.  

"When i started there was no sufficient equipment for my business, with the little money i earned, i managed to buy a portion of land were i set up my barbershop. During the lockdown, all non-essential businesses were shut down including the barbershop. After reopening I have been running losses, there is no customers at all. In order to secure funds for my business, I usually approach people and introduce them to my business then negotiate on the price", says Nakanyala.  


Moreover, Mirjam Mathias is proud to have opened  her Tuyeni Tailoring business . She make a living by making and selling school uniforms and  African dresses. After completing a tailoring course in 2014, she managed to secure funding to start my own business on the previous year. 

She echoed the same sentiment that the Coronavirus have ripe  off their income and she is finding it difficult to get customers.  

"Whenever i face any financial difficulties, my sister come to my rescue.  I really want to get a grant to take my business forward", she concludes.  










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