Ndinandali Farms takes home big prize
Food Waste Challenge winner announced
After months of preparing a pitch and working on a business proposal, Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa of Ndinandali Farm in Opuwo, was chosen as the winner of the second phase of the Capricorn Foundation’s Food Waste Challenge.Ndasilohenda is a trailblazer in the agricultural sector, particularly in preserving the nutritional value of fresh produce during the pandemic.
Speaking at the event, Ndasilohenda said that they are currently harvesting their crops manually, which takes a lot of manpower, time and energy. “This financial injection will enable us to buy a cutter and a dryer,” she said. A cutter will decrease harvest time and a dryer will also cut down on the time it takes to dry the vegetables.
“The fact that we have a partner in Synergi to help with a brand refresh and marketing will go a long way,” she said, adding that it is great knowing she has someone to call when she struggles to put her business on the map.
She walks away with a N$100 000 cash prize from the Capricorn Foundation, a N$50 000 marketing and business refresh from Synergi, and Business Box is providing 6 months of training.
While she and her team are still working on a small scale and only dry vegetables that don't sell at the market, she hopes to see her products in a chain store one day. “Wouldn’t that be something!”
Ndasilohenda has plans to collaborate with her fellow finalists. “We can all work together for the betterment of our businesses,” she said, adding that those who produce fertilizer can help her better her soil while her co-entrepreneur with the food hub app can help in distribute her produce. “It’s wonderful to know that we can have a positive impact on each other.”
According to Marlize Horn of the Capricorn Group, it was great to see all the finalists' passion. “We are excited to know that so many entrepreneurs are busy working on eliminating food waste, making sure no Namibian goes to bed hungry and addressing the issue of unemployment in the country,” she said.
The team at the Capricorn Foundation are already busy with plans for next year's competition.