Namib Mills Kitchen inaugurated

Yochanaan Coetzee“I know this training will change my life,” relates a radiant Sophia Utsi. She and her fellow trainees are buzzing as they tidy up, glowing from achievement and gracefully accepting compliments for the delicious savoury snacks and deserts they prepared for their guests at the inauguration of the Women at Work’s new training kitchen, last week.The new professional training kitchen, dubbed the “Namib Mills Kitchen”, now allows trainees to learn in a professional NQA-standard kitchen in the fundamental of various aspects of the culinary arts and home economics.“This was a only a dream for 8 years, but quickly became a reality when Namib Mills and Namibia Construction generously agreed to assist us in setting up this vocational-standard training kitchen, after just one phone call to each,” said Elize Fahl, the chairperson of the Women at Work Training Centre.“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for assisting to reach this tremendous milestone. Bank Windhoek has been a key stakeholder since our inception, and so too have Namib Mills and Namibia Construction been eager to assist over the years. However, we must highlight and celebrate this latest contribution, as this will allow us to do more, and that at a higher standard which will impact lives and improve livelihoods.” “Namibia Mills generously provided funding for this project and Namibia Construction, without a moment’s hesitation, came on board with all the design work, labour and a large portion of the materials needed,” said Fahl.Skills incubatorsBesides cookery and baking, the Women at Work Training Centre offers a range of other courses including Home Management, Au Pairing and Beginners/Advanced Dressmaking Courses, which have empowered over 1598 men and women in their 12 years in operation.“Before I came here I was unemployed and fearful of what my future would hold, but now I am confident and equipped to go into the work market, or maybe even start a business myself,” Utsi added.“We all hope to live happy and productive lives and to be able to assist people in improving their skillsets and enhancing their livelihoods has been at the core of Namib Mills’ business ethos,” said Koos Ferreira, Trade Liaison Specialist for Namib Mills.Women at Work Training Centre, established in 2009, is an association not for gain, incorporated under section 21 of the Companies Act, and a registered welfare organization in terms of the National Welfare Act, 1965 (Act 79 of 1965).The mission of Women at Work is to be the catalyst for change in the lives of unemployed Namibian women by providing high quality basic skills training and to facilitate suitable, stable employment through it's Employment Bureau.Women at Work has trained 1063 students between 2009 and 2016 and in 2016 alone placed 74 students with employers.

Namib Mills Kitchen inaugurated

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-09

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Namib Mills Kitchen inaugurated

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-09

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