Power to the people!

180 entrepreneurs assisted
    - 2022-07-06 09:40:00
Old Mutual Namibia along with Launch Namibia, the Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab, has launched the Old Mutual Sustainable, Economic & Empowerment Drive (OM SEED) initiative.
Old Mutual’s Mufaro Nesongano says that OM SEED is an initiative that the company has endorsed for the next three years, starting now. “We are targeting the grassroots market in three randomly selected towns across the 14 regions every year. This year we have selected Keetmanshoop, Oshakati and Windhoek, as these towns are strategically located to impact and create value within the deep-seated communities.”
OM’s Acting Marketing and Communications Executive Ashante Manetti highlighted that “at Old Mutual Namibia, we believe in the true power of collaboration. By working alongside the FLI, a national platform to enhance financial education and Launch Namibia, who identify as an SMME market player, we show our commitment of partnering with organisations who are doing exceptional work for the Namibian SMME sector.”
Financial sustainability
Together the partners aim to empower 180 grassroot businesses by offering training on financial sustainability, business running ethics and sustainable business practices from 60 chosen applicants per town. Of these, 20 will qualify to pitch to a panel of three judges and of the 20, three winners will be selected per town to win their share of N$85 000 to upscale their businesses.
Applications opened on 5 July and close on 22 July 2022, with application forms readily available at the Old Mutual branches in each of the respective towns.
The chosen participants in Windhoek will have the opportunity to partake in OM SEED on 3 and 4 August, while those in Keetmanshoop can look forward to taking part on 10 and 11 August and those in Oshakati will have the opportunity to do so on 17 and 18 August 2022.
“Through the OM SEED we want to empower our entrepreneurs to take charge of their future, to be able to cultivate and grow their business ideas and be able to expand their business. Through training, mentoring, leadership and guidance, this initiative can empower our local entrepreneurs to thrive and one day empower others to follow suit,” Nesongano concludes.