Top rate mall opened at Kuisebmond

RESIDENTS of Kuisebmond at Walvis Bay are excited about a new shopping mall that was opened at the town last Friday.

The modern mall, Ndume Square, is a facelift for the Kuisebmond residential area, and was described as a big boost for the development of Kuisebmond.

Ndume Square Mall is the property of entrepreneur Paulus Ndume, and was built at a cost of N$5,2 million. It has seven shops, including a butchery, restaurant, water shop, Bank Windhoek and First National Bank ATMs, and a boutique, among others. The building of the modern structure, which was built by Ndume Trading, was started in May this year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ndume called for economic development in suburbs like Kuisebmond in order to change the economic state of communities.

“People asked why I erected such a building at Kuisebmond. Do you think Kuisebmond is not worthy? We are not in the colonial era anymore. Local entrepreneurs are the ones to improve the economy in their own areas. Aim to create jobs and not only think about profit, and always come back to your community,” he said.

Ndume, who motivated upcoming entrepreneurs, narrated his story of starting off with one broken taxi, to buying a bus, a truck, moving on to earthmoving equipment and eventually constructing roads and buildings. He also advised the nation to remain calm during the economic crisis, and to sit and discuss how they can turn around the situation.

“We need to work together. We need to tell the world that we are united, and can stand for ourselves. It can be done if we work together and think about good innovations. We should be ready to cooperate with local authorities in order to improve our economy,” he stated.

The president of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce Industry chapter at Walvis Bay, Johny Doëseb, also commended Ndume for his visionary approach, adding that people are not used to this type of structure at Kuisebmond and Narraville, especially by local entrepreneurs.

“You changed the landscape of Kuisebmond. Normally, one will only see shebeens and car washes when you enter Kuisebmond. You have proved that something else can be done. I want more Ndumes to come on board. Kuisebmond should not only comprise shebeens. Things can only change if we think out of the box”.

He further called on local leadership and banks to support such initiatives, while urging entrepreneurs to take advantage of business plots in the suburb, which is growing rapidly.

“The mayor should be delighted that development of the town did not just stop on the other side of the bridge. Economic strength and power lies in Kuisebmond. Entrepreneurs should not be shy to develop Kuisebmond. We want to see more modern structures by our own people, not the Chinese. Growth at Home strategies must be implemented at home. We can do it ourselves” he noted.

The councillor for the Walvis Bay Urban constituency, Hafeni Ndemula, reiterated the view that the private sector should be the driving force to improving the economy, adding that it is not enough to just complain that the Chinese are being awarded tenders.

“If local innovators do not come forward, how do you want to own businesses? We should be the ones to join hands, and be the real engines of growth. The Chinese are here because they see the opportunities. Stand up and do something. Create this type of business. Nobody will do it for you. We need to see proper buildings like this one, and not corner shops,” he added.

The mayor of Walvis Bay encouraged upcoming young entrepreneurs to emulate Ndume in order to also tell their story of hard work one day. He noted that the opening of the new mall came at a time when many people are disappointed about the state of the country’s economy, yet some people like Ndume still have a positive attitude, thereby creating hope.