By Lylie Happiness
Oshakati, 27 July- Residents of Onamutai, located in the Oshana Region’s Ongwediva Constituency, are celebrating the establishment of a new women’s community open market that promises to uplift the community’s economic prospects.
For over three decades, community members, particularly women, have been selling their produce under the shade of a tree to sustain themselves. However, this challenging chapter is now a thing of the past, thanks to the efforts of EDDD Investment. The company invested N$111,000 to construct a modern women’s community open market that includes five lockable stalls and provides clean drinking water.
The open market has quickly become a beacon of hope for local entrepreneurs, offering them a formal platform to showcase and sell their goods while generating much-needed income for their families.
Andreas Uutoni, the Councillor for the Ongwediva Constituency, expressed gratitude for EDDD Investment’s social responsibility and their significant contribution to this transformative project. He noted that the same company had previously funded the provision of clean water for the Omaalala community with an investment of N$37,000. The Omaalala community is currently enjoying the benefits of the clean water provided by this initiative.
Rural women, such as Mbwalala Simon, a vendor at Onamutai Village, play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development through economic and social changes. Simon highlighted that they have been engaged in selling food since the 1990s, often moving from one tree to another in search of shade. However, the newly constructed open market has significantly improved their working conditions, especially during the rainy season when the lack of proper shelter posed challenges.
The establishment of this women’s community open market not only offers economic opportunities for individuals and families but also empowers the entire community and contributes to overall economic productivity.
The community of Onamutai and the Ongwediva Constituency at large express their heartfelt appreciation for this transformative initiative, as it enhances the well-being and prosperity of all its residents.-Namibia Daily News
