SME owners urged to empower their communities
Small and medium enterprise (SMEs) owners have been encouraged to empower communities through employment.
The regional councillor for the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency, Christopher Likuwa, says this could be done by expanding their businesses and employing residents of the area.
Likuwa was speaking at the handover of equipment by the Khomas Regional Council's employment-creation programme on Friday.
Machinery, computers, sewing machines and other equipment worth about N$250 000 were handed over to 21 SME owners from the constituency.
“We see the need of the people in our communities, hence much effort is emphasised to fight unemployment by assisting those who are trying to be self-reliant and creating jobs for others,” said Likuwa.
The 21 beneficiaries were selected from 500 applicants who had applied for the same donation in May last year.
The programme assists economic activities ranging from panel-beating to shoemaking, carpentry, bakeries, catering, salons, tailors, construction, welding, car mechanics, printing and beading.
The Khomas regional council has supported more than 150 SME projects since 2012 in the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency alone.
The owner of the Etemo Youth Project, Samuel Shatipamba, was one of the beneficiaries who received woodwork and welding equipment.
Shatipamba started his business in 2011 to help school dropouts in his neighbourhood in the Ombili informal settlement. About 300 school dropouts have benefited from the project.
Another beneficiary, Martha Frans, said she would be able to employ someone in her community now that she had her own computer and printer.
“In the past, I used to borrow my friend's computer and printing machine to earn an income by making copies and typing curricula vitae for people,” said Frans.
Frans said having her own computer meant she could work flexible hours and make more money.
NAMPA
The regional councillor for the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency, Christopher Likuwa, says this could be done by expanding their businesses and employing residents of the area.
Likuwa was speaking at the handover of equipment by the Khomas Regional Council's employment-creation programme on Friday.
Machinery, computers, sewing machines and other equipment worth about N$250 000 were handed over to 21 SME owners from the constituency.
“We see the need of the people in our communities, hence much effort is emphasised to fight unemployment by assisting those who are trying to be self-reliant and creating jobs for others,” said Likuwa.
The 21 beneficiaries were selected from 500 applicants who had applied for the same donation in May last year.
The programme assists economic activities ranging from panel-beating to shoemaking, carpentry, bakeries, catering, salons, tailors, construction, welding, car mechanics, printing and beading.
The Khomas regional council has supported more than 150 SME projects since 2012 in the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency alone.
The owner of the Etemo Youth Project, Samuel Shatipamba, was one of the beneficiaries who received woodwork and welding equipment.
Shatipamba started his business in 2011 to help school dropouts in his neighbourhood in the Ombili informal settlement. About 300 school dropouts have benefited from the project.
Another beneficiary, Martha Frans, said she would be able to employ someone in her community now that she had her own computer and printer.
“In the past, I used to borrow my friend's computer and printing machine to earn an income by making copies and typing curricula vitae for people,” said Frans.
Frans said having her own computer meant she could work flexible hours and make more money.
NAMPA
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