By: Annakleta Haikera
24 year-old Magdalena Jose, a farmer’s apprentice at the Rundu Salem Green Scheme Project, is proving that hard work, passion, and perseverance go a long way in creating financial independence and community empowerment.
Magdelena’s story, much like numerous other young farmers, speaks of how she was able to turn a once simple backyard garden into a source of income, education, and community development in the Kavango East Region.
Her love for horticulture began in her childhood, inspired by her late mother’s home garden.
“From a young age, I always loved spending time with her planting, watering, and pruning. When I later moved to my grandmother’s house, that passion grew even stronger,” she said.
What started as a family activity is now a thriving agribusiness. Today, Magdalena manages and co-owns her grandmother’s garden in the Kavango Region, employing more than ten local workers every month, most of whom are youth and women.
“It humbles me to know that I contribute to the livelihoods of people around me,” she said.
“It gives me peace knowing that our small business not only sustains us, but also uplifts others,” she added.
Two years ago, Magdalena had no formal qualification in agriculture and worked as an unpaid helper in the same garden. Today, she is pursuing a TVET qualification in horticulture and crop husbandry, applying everything she learns at school directly to her business operations.
However, her journey was not without challenges. “I had to quit my job at a local farm in Mupapama to start my portion of land with only my last salary and hope,” she recalled.
“There were times when I didn’t know how things would work out, but I just believed I could do it,” she explained.
Like several young women in Namibia, Magdalena had to overcome financial barriers, limited access to training, and societal expectations. But through determination and community support, she has become a role model for other young women who aspire to join the agricultural sector.
“To other young people, especially young women, I say: believe in yourself,” she advises.
“Be persistent, disciplined, humble, and willing to learn. Nothing comes easy, but every sacrifice you make today builds the life you want tomorrow,” Magdalena encouraged.
Across the country, more women are following in her footsteps. In Nkurenkuru, 26-year-old Helena Ndumba runs a small horticulture project specialising in spinach, cabbage, and tomatoes. She says her goal is not only to feed her family, but also to sell fresh produce to nearby schools and open markets.
“Farming has taught me patience and independence,” Helena stated.
“I used to think it was men’s work, but now I see it as a skill that empowers me,” she noted.
In Rundu Rural, 29-year-old Maria Kambonde turned her family’s unused field into a productive vegetable garden during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a survival measure is now a growing business employing five part-time workers.
“Young women should not wait for jobs to come to them; sometimes, the land you walk on is the opportunity you are looking for,” she indicated.
Meanwhile, in Okongo, 23-year-old Taimi Ndeutapo focuses on organic farming, producing herbs, green peppers, and lettuce using compost and natural fertilisers.
“When I see something grow from my hands, I feel proud; it’s like watching your dreams come to life,” she said triumphantly.
Magdalena’s success, alongside that of many other young women, reflects a growing movement of female farmers in Namibia who are breaking gender stereotypes and driving food security at the grassroots level. From urban gardens to rural crop farms, these women are not only producing food, but also creating employment, sharing knowledge, and transforming their communities.
As agriculture continues to face challenges such as climate change, unemployment, and limited funding, the determination of young farmers like Magdalena offers a glimpse of hope, proving that the future of farming is not just green, but powered by youth and women.
