Call for support to save Katima’s oldest craft centre
One of the oldest craft centres in Katima Mulilo faces a myriad of challenges that threaten its continued existence.
These include deteriorating infrastructure, plummeting sales and the absence of basic services like water and electricity.
Constructed long before Namibia gained independence, the craft centre is home to various handcrafted goods such as traditional pots, masks, chairs, tables and African hand-carved wooden animals.
The centre’s manager, Muzimisa Kakuwe, said the building is in urgent need of renovation.
“Since its construction before 1990, the building has never been renovated. The roof now has holes in it, and when it rains, the water fills up the room and damages some of the items. We do not have working water, meaning we have to go fetch water from the market. We also do not have chairs for our visitors, especially the tourists who visit us from time to time,” he said.
Kakuwe told Namibian Sun: “We are not sure if it’s the economy or if people are just not interested in historic crafts anymore. Sales get so bad to the point where we sometimes only get one customer a week. A customer might also just come to browse through our inventory and leave without buying anything,” he said.
Preserve a rich history
He said some crafts date back to pre-independence.
"Local artisans bring us their handcrafted goods that we sell for a small commission. Depending on how captivating the item is, it will determine how long it stays on the shelves. Some items are sold within weeks, while others can sit on the shelves for years and years.”
Kakuwe appealed to the government and private individuals to assist the historic craft centre, as it holds a significant part of the town’s rich history.
“We are in urgent need of assistance to renovate this historic beauty. We appeal for assistance to restore our water and electricity, as well as chairs, to make this place more presentable for tourists and locals."
He said a room at the back of the centre could be used to host events and to provide a space for the town's youth "where they can come together and showcase their talents."
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These include deteriorating infrastructure, plummeting sales and the absence of basic services like water and electricity.
Constructed long before Namibia gained independence, the craft centre is home to various handcrafted goods such as traditional pots, masks, chairs, tables and African hand-carved wooden animals.
The centre’s manager, Muzimisa Kakuwe, said the building is in urgent need of renovation.
“Since its construction before 1990, the building has never been renovated. The roof now has holes in it, and when it rains, the water fills up the room and damages some of the items. We do not have working water, meaning we have to go fetch water from the market. We also do not have chairs for our visitors, especially the tourists who visit us from time to time,” he said.
Kakuwe told Namibian Sun: “We are not sure if it’s the economy or if people are just not interested in historic crafts anymore. Sales get so bad to the point where we sometimes only get one customer a week. A customer might also just come to browse through our inventory and leave without buying anything,” he said.
Preserve a rich history
He said some crafts date back to pre-independence.
"Local artisans bring us their handcrafted goods that we sell for a small commission. Depending on how captivating the item is, it will determine how long it stays on the shelves. Some items are sold within weeks, while others can sit on the shelves for years and years.”
Kakuwe appealed to the government and private individuals to assist the historic craft centre, as it holds a significant part of the town’s rich history.
“We are in urgent need of assistance to renovate this historic beauty. We appeal for assistance to restore our water and electricity, as well as chairs, to make this place more presentable for tourists and locals."
He said a room at the back of the centre could be used to host events and to provide a space for the town's youth "where they can come together and showcase their talents."
[email protected]
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