For the good of the community
With the alarming accidents recorded on our roads each day, a young man with the help of a shareholder decided to introduce breathalysers for companies to use and involving the community to find solutions to this perpetual problem.
Marino Gogoseb, a 20 year old young man from Windhoek has merged his business idea to save lives on Namibian roads daily. After completing his grade 12 in 2015 and getting admission to study for his tertiary education in South Africa, Gogoseb could take up the offer due to unforeseen circumstances. However, this did not discourage him and proved to be a blessing in guise when it presented him with an opportunity to focus on his business idea with his business partner, Marius Steynberg.
“I have always had this idea since I was in high school, but due to finances, I did not have any means of executing this plan and seeing it grow into something which I wanted,” said Gogoseb. He also added that the country’s economy was also a contributing factor after he failed to acquire sponsorship or funds from private companies. After meeting his partner in 2016 at a rugby game, Gogoseb merged his breathalyser idea into Windhoek Security Solutions. “We spoke about it and we came up with this solution for road safety. One of the biggest contributing factors to road accidents are people driving under the influence of alcohol. Every day, we read about these accidents but, no one has come up with solutions,” explained Gogoseb.
These breathalyser machines are purchased in Johannesburg, South Africa and they are merged into company security systems. Companies that come on board will submit a request to have their employees tested. “Our target market are mostly big companies involved in transport and logistics as well as employees who work with heavy equipment that require intense concentration,” he added. In Namibia employers have the right to test their employees if they suspect that they are drunk in work environments that demand the employees to be sober all the time. “We also need to take into consideration that if someone works with heavy equipment at work and this person is intoxicated, freak accidents can occur and the companies will be forced to fork out money to treat the employee ,” Gogoseb said.
“We are currently working with big companies and introducing our services. Once they see the benefits of our work, it will be put to good use.” Gogoseb however warned that their company is not a law enforcement institution as “we do not have any rights to take anyone in for the readings reported on our machines.” Gogoseb continued to explain that the benefits of this will be that if the employer wants to take the guilty employee for disciplinary hearings, there will be proof regarding the alcohol readings from their machines. “This will in turn make sure that employees do not risk their jobs by consuming alcohol and their work will not be affected,” he continued.
Gogoseb also said that what makes their work so unique is that they also do private call outs as per request. These private call outs is a service given to the public and requires the mobile team. “These private call outs can be used by suspicious parents who have any reason to believe that their children have been consuming alcohol. Underage drinking is also a very big problem in our country and some parents have no means to prove this.” Gogoseb also added that schools can also utilise their services at matric farewells, athletics meetings and other school events to make sure that their learners do not get into their vehicles intoxicated. He also said learners found under the influence will not be allowed to drive and alternative arrangements will be made for them to get these learners safely home. “These private call outs can be done by any individuals who want to make use of breathalysers and the response is very quick. We want to make sure that our services are reliable as we believe in putting our customers first and making sure that no lives are lost due to drink and driving,” Gogoseb said. Gogoseb said that the companies have given them positive feedback and there has been a change of behaviour among workers.
A big fan of rugby, Gogoseb also mentioned that it is also one of his dreams to branch out into professional rugby and representing Namibia at international games. Asked about how he would balance his work with his social life, Gogoseb said he wants to play his part in assisting his country so prioritising has never been an issue. “I also have my time to enjoy my life, but I realised that I have more responsibilities. Although, in future, I would like to further my studies, I would like to see my business take off ground and until it grows into something big.” He would also like to have breathalyser services used in all the14 regions of the country. “Accidents are not only happening in Windhoek, but all over the country as well. Every company’s dream is to expand nationally so in two to five years time, we want to have our offices nationwide as we also want to contribute to reducing the high unemployment rate in Namibia with.”
Gogoseb also advised the youth to focus on entrepreneurship and start up their own business. “Everything starts up small, but with consistency and dedication, it will easily grow into something big and you would be very proud of yourself and looking back and seeing how far you have come.”
TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA
“I have always had this idea since I was in high school, but due to finances, I did not have any means of executing this plan and seeing it grow into something which I wanted,” said Gogoseb. He also added that the country’s economy was also a contributing factor after he failed to acquire sponsorship or funds from private companies. After meeting his partner in 2016 at a rugby game, Gogoseb merged his breathalyser idea into Windhoek Security Solutions. “We spoke about it and we came up with this solution for road safety. One of the biggest contributing factors to road accidents are people driving under the influence of alcohol. Every day, we read about these accidents but, no one has come up with solutions,” explained Gogoseb.
These breathalyser machines are purchased in Johannesburg, South Africa and they are merged into company security systems. Companies that come on board will submit a request to have their employees tested. “Our target market are mostly big companies involved in transport and logistics as well as employees who work with heavy equipment that require intense concentration,” he added. In Namibia employers have the right to test their employees if they suspect that they are drunk in work environments that demand the employees to be sober all the time. “We also need to take into consideration that if someone works with heavy equipment at work and this person is intoxicated, freak accidents can occur and the companies will be forced to fork out money to treat the employee ,” Gogoseb said.
“We are currently working with big companies and introducing our services. Once they see the benefits of our work, it will be put to good use.” Gogoseb however warned that their company is not a law enforcement institution as “we do not have any rights to take anyone in for the readings reported on our machines.” Gogoseb continued to explain that the benefits of this will be that if the employer wants to take the guilty employee for disciplinary hearings, there will be proof regarding the alcohol readings from their machines. “This will in turn make sure that employees do not risk their jobs by consuming alcohol and their work will not be affected,” he continued.
Gogoseb also said that what makes their work so unique is that they also do private call outs as per request. These private call outs is a service given to the public and requires the mobile team. “These private call outs can be used by suspicious parents who have any reason to believe that their children have been consuming alcohol. Underage drinking is also a very big problem in our country and some parents have no means to prove this.” Gogoseb also added that schools can also utilise their services at matric farewells, athletics meetings and other school events to make sure that their learners do not get into their vehicles intoxicated. He also said learners found under the influence will not be allowed to drive and alternative arrangements will be made for them to get these learners safely home. “These private call outs can be done by any individuals who want to make use of breathalysers and the response is very quick. We want to make sure that our services are reliable as we believe in putting our customers first and making sure that no lives are lost due to drink and driving,” Gogoseb said. Gogoseb said that the companies have given them positive feedback and there has been a change of behaviour among workers.
A big fan of rugby, Gogoseb also mentioned that it is also one of his dreams to branch out into professional rugby and representing Namibia at international games. Asked about how he would balance his work with his social life, Gogoseb said he wants to play his part in assisting his country so prioritising has never been an issue. “I also have my time to enjoy my life, but I realised that I have more responsibilities. Although, in future, I would like to further my studies, I would like to see my business take off ground and until it grows into something big.” He would also like to have breathalyser services used in all the14 regions of the country. “Accidents are not only happening in Windhoek, but all over the country as well. Every company’s dream is to expand nationally so in two to five years time, we want to have our offices nationwide as we also want to contribute to reducing the high unemployment rate in Namibia with.”
Gogoseb also advised the youth to focus on entrepreneurship and start up their own business. “Everything starts up small, but with consistency and dedication, it will easily grow into something big and you would be very proud of yourself and looking back and seeing how far you have come.”
TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA
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