A Lüderitz man's story of grit, redemption and the art of smoked fish

The art of smoking fish is a delicate craft, requiring careful preparation, patience and, above all, a love for the work.

For Elrich Naibeb (39) a former drug addict, the process has become a lifeline, helping him sober up and rebuild his life.

Born and raised in Lüderitz, Naibeb is now an entrepreneur, earning a living by smoking fish and selling his products outside Spar in the harbour town every day from 08:00.

“I used to be a very naughty guy and got caught in a vicious cycle of drug abuse that lasted more than eight years while living in Windhoek," he said in a frank interview.

"I lost my wife, my kids, my work, everything I loved, and returned to my parents’ home two years ago,” he confessed.

Naibeb, a former retail worker, admits he feared relapsing if he returned to Windhoek and chose to stay in Lüderitz.

“I borrowed a smoking oven from my nephew, and a good friend gave me a N$50 snoek to start with. Sober habits and the proceeds I earned eventually enabled me to build a structure and acquire smokers worth N$10 000," he recounted.

"God also helped me to obtain a licence and a dinghy to catch my own fish. I now run a registered business, Sisu Seaworks, which keeps me on track,” Naibeb said.

A family recipe 

He has been smoking and selling fish for almost 15 years now.

“I started after my uncle, Edward Naibeb, a skipper who lives in Walvis Bay, built a smoker [drum] for me. He instructed me daily over the phone, since I was living in Windhoek at the time, on how to smoke fish step by step and in the traditional way.”

Initially, Naibeb did it on the side to earn extra cash, but over time he fell in love with the process. “The skill I acquired now forms the basis of my business and provides a daily income for me. It keeps me alive,” he said.

Unique, delicate craft

His fish-smoking technique has evolved, and his products are delicious.

“The passion I have for the smoking process, the way I handle my fish and the quality sawdust I use give my products a unique flavour.”

He does not use ordinary pine sawdust. “It gives the fish an artificial taste because of the chemicals in it. I prefer French oak sawdust for its natural, rich flavour,” he explained.

Redemption and second chances

During his eight-year addiction, Naibeb attended various rehabilitation centres in Namibia without success.

“Pastors prayed for me. I had no hope, no future, and had completely lost my dignity. Nothing I tried seemed to work until I met Jesus, through the grace of God, two years ago. He gave me sobriety and a new start. I am thankful, and today I am proof that there is hope and that your life does not have to end with addiction.”

Naibeb is now on a mission to motivate others battling addiction. “God restored my dignity. I could have ended up in jail or dead, but here I stand as proof that there are second chances," he said.

"I want to show that you can rise and do something about your alcohol, gambling or any addiction you are caught up in. Look at me.”

He is adamant that there is hope as long as you are alive. “By being here, God is telling you that there is time to right your wrongs. Do not give up hope, and learn to love yourself," he urged.

Naibeb also draws inspiration from the testimony of his uncle, James Noah. “Before he died, he wrote about his life. His left arm and two legs were amputated due to his drug addiction, and he became wheelchair-bound. His testimony reminds me of where I came from.”