By:Staff writer
Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa of Ndinandali farm in Opuwo has emerged as the 2023 Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge overall winner.
Capricorn Foundation launched the Foundation Food Waste Challenge in April this year, to address the issue of food waste in Namibia and create employment for Namibians.
As a result, Katangolo-Nakashwa walked away with a N$100,000 cash prize, a brand package valued at N$50,000 from Synergi and six months mentorship and coaching provided by Business Box Windhoek.
Last month, the top five finalists made their pitches to a panel of judges in the “Eagles Den” at Capricorn Group’s head office.
According to the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Namibia suffers from a severe hunger level, ranking 78th out of 116 countries.
Trading Economics global macro models and analysts indicated Namibia’s unemployment rate is around 22%.
The Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge called for innovative and sustainable solutions to create or expand self-sufficient Social Enterprises (businesses) to address the issue of food waste in Namibia and create employment for Namibians.
“The Capricorn Foundation remains committed to being a Connector of Positive Change and, apart from the winning solution and the many other innovative ideas that were submitted, the Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge provided a platform to create awareness of the issue of food waste and support social entrepreneurs in their potential to solve community-based problems and create jobs,” said Marlize Horn, Capricorn Foundation Executive Officer.
“We congratulate Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa and hope that her prize money and brand package will aid her in extending her business, thereby creating jobs whilst also addressing the issue of food waste.”
The 2023 Food Waste Challenge received 152 submissions on an open innovation platform.
The challenge concluded on 22 May 2023, with most of the submissions from Namibia and Botswana.
The top five proposals were evaluated on predefined criteria by a panel of experts representing various sectors of the economy who appraised five finalists in the final round on 22 June 2023 in the “Eagles Den” at Capricorn Group’s Head Office.
The finalists had to pitch their ideas and answer questions during the live event streamed by Synergi Marketing PTY Ltd.
Katangolo-Nakashwa is a 37-year-old communal farmer from Opuwo Rural Constituency in the Kunene Region, was thrilled when her team won the prize for their innovative approach to preserving nutrients in fresh produce.
“Ndinandali Farm’s focus is not only about making a profit but also to promote food security and ensure that the most vulnerable communities are reached. The Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge has been an amazing experience and I look forward to collaborating with the other finalists,” she said.
Ndinandali Farm, an agricultural venture dedicated to preserving nutritional value and extending the shelf life of fresh produce, has revolutionised marketing and distribution methods. Their dried vegetables, including spinach, tomato, and cabbage, have become popular food staples in rural villages and towns.
Last year, Katangolo-Nakashwa was named the Women in Agriculture and Feedmaster and Namibia’s first Female Poultry Farmer of the Year.
Rikus Grobler, Capricorn Group’s Manager of Innovation and project coordinator of the Challenge, praised the ideas focusing on sustainability, longer shelf life, nutritional preservation, and alternative protein sources for their potential to benefit Namibians.
