Maria David
SHANGELAO Hauwanga has proven that through resilience and determination, one can achieve the impossible and become successful.
This became evident after the 26-year-old woman dropped out of university and ventured into agriculture.
In 2019, Hauwanga was forced to leave school while studying at the University of Namibia towards her honours in financial mathematics due to financial difficulties.
This setback was also seen as an opportunity. She then started a small-scale garden with her parents at Etsapa village before realizing that she needed to expand.
Hauwanga now operates a larger horticulture project at Oshamono village, about 70 km southeast of Eenhana.
Reaching the location requires travelling through a two-track road that winds through dense bush and deep sand.
She said that despite being mocked and laughed at by her peers, she remained determined.
“Many of my fellow youth told me that I was crazy and stupid to think anything would grow in a place as sandy as this,” she said.
She added that despite the mockery, she stayed motivated, knowing exactly what she wanted and was aiming for.
Hauwanga mentioned that she has tried to engage other youth to share her knowledge, but they often dismiss her, saying they are not interested.
Previously, she used a bucket to fetch water for her garden. However, that changed when she received assistance from the Japanese embassy through the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The embassy provided her with materials for an irrigation system, ensuring an easier flow of water, at a cost of about N$50,000.
Today, she has made arrangements with Spar and U-Save to market her produce, with hopes of growing her business.
However, most of her customers are locals, and demand is high, which she currently cannot meet at her current production rate.
Hauwanga indicated that her main challenge is the need for a proper fence to protect her garden from livestock.
She plans not only to expand her project in the coming years but also to give back to the community by offering training to fellow youth who may find a passion for agriculture.
Japan’s Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki, expressed his pleasure at seeing Hauwanga’s determination despite the mockery of others.
“You have really shown determination and resilience, which is indeed motivating,” he said.
He urged Hauwanga to continue seeking assistance from relevant offices and promised to report his findings during the visit to Japan’s headquarters, encouraging continued support for Namibia.
