From N$2,000 to 4,000 driver opportunities
When Miriam Valdivia-Mafuwe lost her job, she was not armed with a business plan, investors or a financial safety net. She had just N$2,000, a determination to build something of her own and the belief that giving up was never an option. Today, that leap of faith has grown into Umaja Tours & Safaris, a transport business operating in partnership with Yango. The company employs six people, creates income opportunities for more than 4,000 registered partner drivers and vehicle owners, and demonstrates how entrepreneurship, supported by digital platforms, can unlock new economic opportunities.
Looking back, Valdivia-Mafuwe no longer sees losing her job as a setback but as the moment that changed her life. "I did not have the luxury of waiting for another opportunity," she said. "I had to create one."
Before launching her business, she had built a career in leadership and management, developing skills in operations, problem-solving and team management. Those experiences later became the foundation of her own company. The idea for Umaja Tours & Safaris emerged after she recognised that digital technology was transforming the transport sector. Through Yango, she saw growing demand for reliable transport services while many vehicle owners were looking for new ways to generate income.
Rather than seeing separate challenges, she saw an opportunity to connect the two. Starting the business was far from easy. Working from a small home office, her initial capital covered little more than business registration and the essentials needed to get started. Building a customer base, recruiting partner drivers and managing unpredictable cash flow quickly became the real test.
"There were days when I questioned whether I had made the right decision," she recalled. "But every obstacle taught me something new."
Entering the transport sector also meant establishing herself in an industry where leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men. Instead of allowing that to become a barrier, she focused on earning trust through consistency. "Credibility is not something you are given. It's something you earn every single day."
A defining moment came in 2023 when she attended a business summit that reshaped her approach to entrepreneurship. Until then, she believed success depended on managing every aspect of the business herself.
"I realised successful entrepreneurs build systems and trust people. They don't try to carry everything alone."
That lesson transformed both her leadership style and the growth of the business. Today, Umaja Tours & Safaris employs six people whose expertise enables the company to operate more efficiently while focusing on long-term growth. For Valdivia-Mafuwe, however, success is measured by more than business performance. "Knowing that what we have built helps other people put food on the table is incredibly rewarding."
Her entrepreneurial journey has also given her opportunities to engage with government leaders and industry stakeholders on issues such as regulation, compliance and the future of Namibia's digital transport economy. She believes digital platforms are helping lower many of the traditional barriers to entrepreneurship by giving small businesses access to technology and customers without significant upfront investment.
"Instead of building everything from scratch, entrepreneurs can focus on delivering quality service while digital platforms help connect them with the market," she said. Having travelled across countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, Valdivia-Mafuwe has seen how digital mobility services have become part of everyday life, supporting commuters, tourism and local businesses. She believes Namibia is following the same path.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward. "Don't wait until everything is perfect. Start with what you have and learn as you go." Looking ahead, she plans to expand Umaja Tours & Safaris by growing its fleet, strengthening its operations and creating even more opportunities for partner drivers and young entrepreneurs.
Her story is a reminder that successful businesses do not always begin with substantial capital. Sometimes, they begin with resilience, determination and the courage to take the first step.
