WINDHOEK, June 16 (Xinhua) -- In the face of desolate land and drought, rural dwellers of Omatjete settlement in Namibia's Erongo region have turned to arts and micro-trading for income generation to sustain livelihoods.
For nearly four years, the community has been severely affected by persistent drought, said senior traditional councillor of Zeraua Traditional Authority, Fabianus Uaseuapuani.
On a sunny afternoon, the local Make Tuvatera open market in Omatjete settlement was a hype of activity.
It is from here where Elise Mauha (38), a long-time resident of Omatjete sells jewellery and other items to clients.
"I make beads with my own hands. I also sell ice cubes for 40 Namibian dollars (3 U. S. dollars) as well as other items," said Mauha, who also designs traditional attires.
Decimated by climate change, trading hand-made crafts at the open market has become her lifeline.
"We have lost most of our livestock to drought. Year after year we suffer losses. Many people have since migrated to urban areas. I wish not to move to towns, hence I turned to art and culinary to earn an income," she said.
Factors including drought, poverty and limited opportunities in the village have pushed many rural dwellers to urban areas in search for employment.
"But I do not want to succumb to the circumstances and migrate. I would rather develop my community through small trade," she said.
In Namibia, entrepreneurship and innovation are seen by Government as the panacea. Mauha is not alone.
For Omatjete resident Anna Goreses, amidst persistent drought and lack of post-secondary school qualifications, migration is barely an option. Starting a small venture was her way out.
"I have been baking and selling home-made bread. I turn flour into bread to generate an income. I earn enough to live by," Goreses said.
Two years on, the micro-traders said that business outlook is prospective, adding that more women are mastering the tenets of business in the village.
Although business has been generating just enough funds to get by, for Mauha, secured working space was a big challenge.
To boost rural enterprising, the local traditional authority this week allocated land for the open market.
According to Uaseuapuani, the handover comes after a group of 70 women operating from the open market organized themselves and sought assistance for land.
"The traditional Authority this week allocated the land as a sign of support to the initiative and efforts that the women carry out," he said Saturday.
The entrepreneurial space also marks the beginning of an era of hard work, collaboration and teamwork, according to Mauha, adding that it will also herald the community out of poverty and empower women to promote development.
"The land we have been operating from was not officially allocated to us, which was one of the major challenges we faced for over two years. Anything could happen and we lose out. But now we have security and can collectively gather, sell our products as well as re-strategize on how to get ahead," Mauha said.
In the meantime, Governor of the Erongo region Cleophas Mutjavikua said that the initiative should also target to sell products beyond the settlement boundaries.
"Also aim to expand your ventures to surrounding towns. Your products should not only end up on shelves within the boundaries of this open market," Mutjavikua said.
