An inspirational journey

After humble beginnings in the 1980s, Shilongo Leather Works has grown into a reputable family business that manufactures and sells leather products, and employs 53 workers.

The company scooped two best exhibit awards at the just-ended Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) - in the 'best manufacturing' and 'made in Namibia' categories.

Sakeus Shilongo and his wife Selma are the company directors for manufacturing and operations and finance and marketing, respectively. They established the business in 1986 and have seen it grow alongside their children.

Selma shared their inspirational journey, which started in a Windhoek home, where they met for the first time while working as domestic workers.

“When I first met Sakeus, he used to work as a casual domestic worker and he was just brought into the house where I was working as a domestic worker as well. That time he was already making leather belts and wallets, while doing casual domestic work.

“He used to sell his products on the streets of Windhoek once a month. He was good at making products of a good quality and designing, but he did not know how to sell or market his products,” Selma said.

“Apart from doing domestic work, I also used to be a speculator for kitchen and other household products for various entities. I used to be the best seller, and after I started getting involved with Sakeus, I started helping him with selling his products.”

Selma said after they got married, she joined her husband's business.

In the beginning it was not easy for her, because she had to take control of the financial side of the business, and was under pressure from her husband's family and friends.

Both, however, decided to drop domestic work and get into the business fulltime.

“It was not an easy decision to leave our work where we used to earn a monthly income, just to go into a business that was still struggling.

“While I was working for the white family they taught me how to manage finances and save for the future. It helped me to manage our business finances, but there were people who used to think I was too protective over Sakeus and his money.

“For the sake of our business and livelihood, I had to stand on my own feet and protect our business income,” she said.

After initially selling their products on the streets, the Windhoek Craft Centre was established, following independence, and they started selling from there.

The government also sent Sakeus to Kenya to receive training in leather product manufacturing.

Today, Shilongo Leather Works produces a variety of products, including shoes and bags.

“The business has grown and today we have four stores - (one each) at Ongwediva, Okahandja and two stores in Windhoek. We have also established a relationship with six retailers, who sell our products, even outside the country,” Selma said.

“It all started from scratch. We did not receive any financial assistance from any institution or government. We used to save our money with several financial institutions, making long-term and short-term saving plans that have been saving us. We are so thankful to our government that assisted in marketing our products at various business events and it helped get us customers from abroad.”

Selma said trade fairs have also helped their business to grow.

She said they participate in almost every trade show in the country, and in 2011 and 2012 they participated in two trade fair events in Zambia, which also assisted with marketing their products outside the country. She says every time they exhibit, their annual income increases.



Family business

Selma said as their children grew, so did their business.

She said the business used to support their children when they were in school, but now that they are grown, they are supporting the business to grow to greater heights.

Four of their six children are part of the company's management.

Thomas, who is an engineer by profession, is the company's general manager. He assisted by his siblings, Naftali, who is the factory manager, Jonas, who is the warehouse manager, and Fiina, who is the business administrator.

“It was not easy to get these children into the business. At first they used to misuse the business resources and they also used to be bossy to the employees. As the business director, I used to discipline them and make sure I treat them as employees and not as my children. Those that are not cooperating, I fire them and only keep those who are helping the business grow. Today those in the business are committed and can do the work, even without us,” Selma added.

ILENI NANDJATO