By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus
Innovators and social entrepreneurs have submitted a total of 152 innovative solutions to reduce food waste in Namibia.
The solutions were in response to the second phase of the Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge (FWC), the Foundation said yesterday.
The Food Waste Challenge invitation concluded on 22 May 2023, and received not only entries from Namibia (majority), but also from Botswana.
According to the Foundation, it has so far evaluated the 125 proposals and has so far selected the top five submissions.
The Foundation indicated that 125 submissions were evaluated on pre-defined criteria through expert panels and the five finalists will compete for the cash prize of N$100,000 and a brand package valued at N$50,000 from Synergi.
Capricorn Group’s Manager of Innovation and FWC Project Coordinator, Rikus Grobler explained the platform is a wonderful opportunity for social entrepreneurs to get help to establish and grow their businesses.
He said the exposure to Business Box and the Eagles Den will help the innovators to exercise their entrepreneurial muscles to promote and sell their business ideas to potential investors and showcase their businesses to potential employees, clients and investors.
By sharing their stories, “they will inspire fellow Namibians to also take action. This already makes all of them winners, irrespective of whether they win the grand prize or not,” Grobler said.
The top five that were selected are SuperFly Bio Converters cc from Windhoek, which is focusing on sustainability by nature, which includes food waste recycling, sustainable insect protein products and natural fertiliser.
SuperFly Bio team leader Oliver Bause said the insect protein is gaining acceptance worldwide as a food source.
“It has the added benefit of also being a good natural source of protein for the other common animal proteins consumed by people such as fish, poultry, and pork,” he explained.
While Ndinandali Farm operating in Opuwo developed a unique approach to preserving the nutrients in fresh produce during Covid-19.
The Farm is a pioneering agricultural venture dedicated to preserving the nutritional value of fresh produce while extending its shelf life.
Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa from the Farm explained that their focus is on innovation and sustainability.
“We have developed a unique approach that has revolutionised how we market and distribute our crops, resulting in preserved products that retain their original taste, nutritional value, and quality,” Katangolo-Nakashwa said.
Nova Research Consultancy (NRC), which is also in the top five from Walvis Bay, aims to address the issue of hunger and poverty.
According to Victoria Erasmus, seafood can play a major role in reducing hunger and at the same time create employment opportunities.
“We want to set up a workstation that will eventually grow into a factory and use seafood heads and livers to produce food products for human consumption,” she said.
As for Eagle Foodhub App from Rundu, the team leader Eddy Ngonga proposed a connecting software application (App).
Ngonga said their social enterprise will empower restaurants, shops and individuals to donate surplus food through an App and web platforms, connecting them with food shelters, orphanages and those in need.
The Challenge called on the public to enter their solutions that can create self-sufficient social enterprises to address the issue of food in Namibia and create employment.
According to the Foundation, the final five proposals proved to be innovative, focusing on the sustainability of food resources, longer shelf life, preservation of nutritional value and additional protein sources.
The final round will take place as a live event, called “The Eagles Den” on Thursday, 22 June 2023, where the top five participants will present their business ideas to the judges.
In the meantime, the participants will receive mentoring from Business Box for the teams to prepare for the final round of judging at the Eagles Den.
The final winner of the Challenge will be announced by 13 July, three weeks after the Eagles Den evaluation. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
