Team Namibia, Finnish embassy train SMEs

NAMIBIAN products and services cheerleader organisation Team Namibia and the Finnish embassy last week concluded the training of 16 Katutura small business owners in an effort to improve on the Namibian economy by supporting local products and services.

The business owners who benefited from the training include those in the production of paper flowers and décor for the extensive wedding and events market, the making of marshmallows, cakes and cupcakes as well as the manufacturing and supply of cleaning materials and washing powder.

Service providers who were trained included those in designing, tailoring and sewing, building maintenance, information technology services and low-cost container housing. Others were in the sphere of imparting knowledge, including training businesses, healthcare for the elderly, and computer software training.

Bärbel Kirchner, the account director of Team Namibia, said out of 400 applicants that wanted to participate in the training project, 16 are running viable businesses. All participants are based in Katutura, and many have been busy in the informal sector.

“These are registered businesses, mostly close corporations. Most have opened their business bank accounts, to increasingly start differentiating between their business and their personal income, which is a good start to gain personal financial control,” said Kirchner.

She said the programme allowed Katutura-based entrepreneurs to gain knowledge and insight to run their businesses more effectively through the creation of sustainable ventures, generation of income and the employment of others.

The project, called the Mobilisation of Production and Trade Capacities of Namibian Small Enterprises in Katutura, is aimed at training and mentoring 25 selected small-to-medium-sized business owners from Katutura by equipping them with the ability to establish successful enterprises.

Team Namibia said the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) owners had to attend 25 days of training on basic business principles, preparation of business plans, introduction of marketing, business management and organisation, as well as costing.

Additionally, they were trained on email, internet and social media marketing and as a result, many now have pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and have been taught to create their images by using the graphic design tool Canva.

Finland’s ambassador to Namibia, Pirkko-Lisa Kyöstilä, said it was important to support local entrepreneurs.

“We all can make a difference by supporting local products and services. When you buy a ‘Made in Namibia’ product, you not only promote job creation and growth, but you also act in a climate-wise manner, protecting our beautiful planet Earth,” she said.

Apart from receiving certificates of attendance, some participants were also awarded prizes. Best commitment and best organisation were awarded to Selma Nampila for tailoring and sewing services. The best marketing and new business leads awards went to Ndahekelekwa Paulus for the production of marshmallows, and Gabriel Uirab received the best turnover for providing training services in healthcare.

Alweendo Shipopyeni scooped three awards – best employment creation, best financing/investment and overall improvement, for providing computer software training services.

The programme was also sponsored by Denu Stationers, First National Bank of Namibia, Kolok Namibia, Namib Mills, Plastic Packaging, Pupkewitz Holdings and Standard Bank Namibia.

Email: bottomline@namibian.com.na