Artisans plead for upgrade of dilapidated Nakayale Disability Centre workshop

Carpenters and tailors working at the Omusati 1995 Project at the Nakayale Disability Centre in Uutapi, Omusati region, have called for urgent renovations and equipment upgrades to their workshop.

Project spokesperson Jesaya Laimo told Namibian Sun last week that the project was established in 1995 when 20 war veterans started an informal carpentry workshop under a tree.

The centre was formally established to provide rehabilitation services and shelter for war veterans and persons living with disabilities when founding president Sam Nujoma worked with government to construct two workshops and 12 housing units.

Initially known as Omusati Tailoring and Carpentry, the project was renamed the Omusati 1995 Project three years ago, with ten persons currently living and working on site.

The group produces traditional attire, metal gates, school uniforms, tables and chairs to earn an income.

However, a severe shortage of raw materials, ageing and malfunctioning production equipment and a lack of essential tools have limited the income-generating capacity of the current group of carpenters and tailors.

Currently, the disabled workers and veterans earn about N$1 000 per month.

Second chances

Laimo said renovations are urgently needed to create space for more people with disabilities to receive training and earn an income.

“Ten individuals are participating in the tailoring and carpentry initiatives. However, about nine sewing machines are non-functional, and our vehicle is broken, making it difficult to sell our products,” he explained.

The lack of functioning machinery has reduced the group's ability to increase production and keep the workshop operational.

Laimo said the group relies solely on customers visiting the workshop to make sales. Without visitors, they are unable to sell their carpentry and tailoring products.

Gieselinde Pahukeni, the project director at Nakayale Disability Centre, revealed plans to diversify into agricultural activities to employ persons with disabilities and provide income-generating opportunities.

“There are many capable individuals with disabilities in our community, but often they are not given the chance to acquire skills and experience necessary for income generation," she said.

Government pledges support

During a visit to the centre last week, Vice President Lucia Witbooi expressed support for the rehabilitation centre.

"Through these specialised skills, the project enables beneficiaries to achieve self-reliance, generate stable household income, and sustainably support their families," she said.

Witbooi said she was aware of the challenges facing the centre and the project. She added that she had directed the Division of Disability Affairs to ensure that the project receives industrial machinery and tailoring equipment by the third quarter of 2026.

“We will also engage the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) for potential support in covering utility expenses," the vice president said, adding that government remains committed to supporting and improving the living standards of persons with disabilities.

She underscored that upgrading the centre requires collective support, urging the private sector, faith-based organisations, and civil society to collaborate with the government in efforts to enhance the livelihoods of persons living with disabilities across the country.