Pioneering businesswoman spotlights Namibian produce
A success story of Namibian innovation
Through creative value-adding processes, entrepreneur Ester Haita's business is committed to showcasing Namibian natural resources in a variety of ways.
Nkurenkuru-based businesswoman Ester Haita is making waves in her community with her unique venture offering a range of innovative Namibian-based organic products, including a variety of foods and cosmetics.
Haita has gained local attention by being dedicated to producing a range of organic products derived from Manketti tree and Mutete vegetables.
Haita's product range includes Manketti cooking oil, Manketti skin oil, Manketti soup, Manketti chicken feeds and Manketti charcoal. From Mutete vegetables, she produces Mutete juice, Mutete jam and Mutete tea.
“Nzimbu Investment not only offers these organic products but also provides demonstrations. Customers can taste unique creations such as popcorn made with Nongongo oil and branches served with Mutete jam," she told Namibian Sun.
The business operates from Nkurenkuru, just five kilometres from Mayara village, and has an online presence on Facebook at Nzimbu Online Shop.
Dedicated
Haita trained at the University of Namibia (Unam) in the department of food science and technology in 2019, “which is when I started making my juice and jam.”
She first showcased her products in 2020.
"During that showcase in Windhoek, I presented my jams and juices, including tomato jam, though I no longer produce it."
She said she first began producing innovative Manketti products at home.
"Observing my mom making oil and cooking with it, I was inspired to start producing the oil and soup myself. I later separated the oil into skin oil and cooking oil. To avoid waste, I began making Manketti charcoal and Manketti chicken feed from the by-products,” she explained.
Haita currently manufactures all her products at home, with plans to establish a large warehouse in the future.
Teamwork
She extended a word of appreciation to her family for their support and teamwork, including her siblings, nephew and sister, who all contribute to the production process.
"I also collaborate with the San women from a nearby village who collect Manketti fruits for me. After they bring the fruits home, my mom processes them. Once the nuts are extracted, the women return to crack them, and I pay them for their work. I then use the nuts to make oil, soup and chicken feeds,” she said.
She encourages other upcoming entrepreneurs to never give up, despite any challenges they may face.
“If you are trained to do something, persevere. In my training group for making juice and jam, I am the only one who has continued the practice. Many people know about Manketti but are reluctant to utilise it. Let's keep using our natural resources to generate income,” Haita said.
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Haita has gained local attention by being dedicated to producing a range of organic products derived from Manketti tree and Mutete vegetables.
Haita's product range includes Manketti cooking oil, Manketti skin oil, Manketti soup, Manketti chicken feeds and Manketti charcoal. From Mutete vegetables, she produces Mutete juice, Mutete jam and Mutete tea.
“Nzimbu Investment not only offers these organic products but also provides demonstrations. Customers can taste unique creations such as popcorn made with Nongongo oil and branches served with Mutete jam," she told Namibian Sun.
The business operates from Nkurenkuru, just five kilometres from Mayara village, and has an online presence on Facebook at Nzimbu Online Shop.
Dedicated
Haita trained at the University of Namibia (Unam) in the department of food science and technology in 2019, “which is when I started making my juice and jam.”
She first showcased her products in 2020.
"During that showcase in Windhoek, I presented my jams and juices, including tomato jam, though I no longer produce it."
She said she first began producing innovative Manketti products at home.
"Observing my mom making oil and cooking with it, I was inspired to start producing the oil and soup myself. I later separated the oil into skin oil and cooking oil. To avoid waste, I began making Manketti charcoal and Manketti chicken feed from the by-products,” she explained.
Haita currently manufactures all her products at home, with plans to establish a large warehouse in the future.
Teamwork
She extended a word of appreciation to her family for their support and teamwork, including her siblings, nephew and sister, who all contribute to the production process.
"I also collaborate with the San women from a nearby village who collect Manketti fruits for me. After they bring the fruits home, my mom processes them. Once the nuts are extracted, the women return to crack them, and I pay them for their work. I then use the nuts to make oil, soup and chicken feeds,” she said.
She encourages other upcoming entrepreneurs to never give up, despite any challenges they may face.
“If you are trained to do something, persevere. In my training group for making juice and jam, I am the only one who has continued the practice. Many people know about Manketti but are reluctant to utilise it. Let's keep using our natural resources to generate income,” Haita said.
[email protected]
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