- Andreas Sheya
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila visited the Mungongi Agriculture Project, she was welcomed by Mr Steven Mungongi , the founder. This is one of the projects she personally supported during her tenure as prime minister. She was impressed with the significant strides made in the growth of the project, “ I’m very very optimistic now that this one will grow to become one of our demonstration centres. Especially the diversity of the activities that are being done here, you should invite the Minister of Agriculture, maybe they can help you to become a demonstration centre.” She advised. Furthermore, she lauded the project for being exemplary in the utilizing of communal to venture into agricultural business and the benefits it brings to the community in terms of employment and skills training opportunities for local youth and supply of food and other services and products , this is the commencement of establishing circular economy starting from the grassroots.
The Speaker encouraged leaders, corporate institutions and local businesses to take the lead in supporting local businesses especially the farmers, underscoring that its only by believing in the uplifting and harnessing the potential of our local Agri- preneurs we can ensure food security. “ I always say a person is a resource. Not everybody has a contribution to making Namibia what we all want it to be. So, if you withhold support for that person, you are restraining your progress. Because then that person cannot bring their full weight to the table in order to move our country forward.” She reiterated.
She proudly pointed out that what Mr. Mungongi has achieved shows a long journey starts with the first step. ‘ if you want to achieve something big, don’t say, what I have now is too little, it doesn’t make any difference. Just start with the first step. And then tomorrow the next, and then the next day the third. And before you know, you’ll be in the middle of the year, the way and you will attain your objective. So, the long journey starts with the first step, and the unity is strength. When you support the next person, you strengthen yourself and empower a community’.
Narrating the background of the project, Mr Mungongi revealed how they started from very humble beginnings with very little resource, no operating costs, a lack of adequate materials that they required. They remained committed and used what they had available to begin and then Honourable Kuugongelwa-Amadhila helped with a much-needed amount that accelerated their progress as a great Leap Forward. “This support it helped us to boost our chances just to keep going and keep going until we’ve reached this level.” He remarked.
He additionally encouraged other young people to venture into farming using the available communal space. “My message to other young people is they must work hard. They must work hard. Look for opportunities around, look at what you want to do in the community and then just put in a lot of work. “ , he encouraged. What started as a small gesture of kindness from then Prime Minister, has made immense impact, as the project has seen significant support from development agencies hence it’s continued growth and has thus far employed local youth.
