By Joe-Chintha Garises
KEETMANSHOOP, Aug. 13 -– The Old Mutual southern regions Sustainable Economic and Empowerment Drive came to an end on 11 August 2022 in Keetmanshoop when three SME owners were awarded prizes.
The initiative that started in Katutura, Windhoek on 25 July has benefited the southern region as well.
At least 60 shortlisted candidates had a business and entrepreneurship training workshop where they also pitch their businesses to judges.
Of the 60 candidates, 20 made it to the Pitch Night on 11 August 2022 from which three winners were selected based on their pitch to the judges and invited audiences.
The candidates had a three-minute pitch and a two-minute question-and-answer session from the judges.
Unomasa Kavita from Mariental won the first prize of N$50 000 for his sports performance business, Jonathan Freyer from Keetmanshoop was second and won N$25 000 for his Porklands (pork making business) and Bertha Boois of Aus was third with his Caring Hearts brick making business.
The winners will however not receive the prizes in cash to get quotations for equipment that their businesses need and Old Mutual Namibia will pay the suppliers.
They will also receive a three-month incubation in Windhoek from 05-09 September 2022.
“I am humbled, I had a lot of setbacks, rejections from companies that I asked help from but perseverance got me here. To my fellow SMEs let’s help each other we are the only ones that really know the challenges that we face,” Kavita said.
//Kharas governor Aletha Fredrick aid: “Those of you who didn’t make it to the grand prize you are not losers the fact that you participated makes you winners, grab any opportunity you get towards the growth of your business.”
