Mahangu silos sell like hotcakes

ILENI NANDJATO

ONDANGWA



Mahangu producers from all over northern Namibia are flocking to North West Plastic Manufacturers (NWPM) at Ondangwa to buy plastic mahangu silos.

These modern structures resemble the traditional wooden silos that have since become old-fashioned.

According to NWPM production manager Kalimba Lukas, the idea to produce mahangu silos was presented to them by the chairperson of Ondonga Traditional Authority and the former governor of Oshikoto, Vilho Kamanya, some years ago, and today, the products are in high demand.

The company produces many plastic products, but the mahangu silos top the range.

NWPM has the capacity to produce about 50 silos a day, however, they are still struggling to meet the demand.



High demand

“This year, the demand is very high because of the good rains. Many people like our product because it is in the form of a traditional silo,” Lukas said.

The company's marketing manager, Gimbi Celestinho, said they produce 800-litre and 2 000-litre silos, and they are often sold out the very same day.

“Now that farmers are expecting more mahangu, the demand is very high and we are struggling to meet it. Our silo production is now running 24 hours a day,” Celestinho said. Customers pay and get their silos after two weeks, due to high demand. We are trying to make sure that everybody is catered for.”



Original idea

Kamanya said he was not aware that the silo manufacturing was based on his idea, but said he can recall that some years ago, while he was doing shopping, he told them to produce mahangu silos.

“We do not have people who produce traditional silos anymore and since they were producing farming equipment made out of plastic, I remember one day I asked them to produce mahangu silos, but they must keep it in a traditional form,” Kamanya said.

“After some time, I saw they started producing silos. I also bought from them and they are ideal, however, they need to research more.”