ONDANGWA – Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, says Namibia should pursue the struggle for economic development by developing smart ideas and smart alliances with local and international businesses in order to realize Vision 2030.

Launching the Epia Community Development Trust Fund last week, Nujoma said Namibia is endowed with natural resources, as well as resourceful people and should make use of its natural resources in order to overcome financial barriers.

The Epia Community Development Trust Fund belongs to Epia Investment Holdings a privately owned entity under the chairmanship of Aaron Mushimba and Tjeripo Hijarungunguru who is the Chief Executive Officer. The business entity also works with various traditional authorities and has interests in the mining, agriculture, commerce, tourism, transport and logistics industries.

“Indeed as a private sector [entity] you can play a meaningful role by complementing our government’s efforts by reinvesting in the communities within which you operate. What we need is to promote tailors, bakers, brick-makers, and artisans at grass roots level.

After all, only a nation that is able to feed itself is regarded as a free nation,” said Nujoma.
Nujoma further urged community and traditional leaders to be at the forefront in promoting community development and empowerment, such as those that will be initiated by Epia.

“The people in the rural areas use the cash economy by selling cattle and using money to buy basic needs. There is therefore a need to harness this cash economy and to develop small business projects that will lead to community self-reliance, because there is no reason why we have to import basic items such as school uniforms, if our own people can make them,” said the Founding Father.

Nujoma encouraged traditional leaders to passionately serve their communities, which in turn will reward them by ensuring that the help received is put to good use. Meanwhile, Hijarunguru told those that attended the launch that Epia has put aside N$5 million to serve as start-up capital for the Epia Development Trust Fund.