Allexer Namundjembo
A mental health–driven entrepreneurship programme is changing the lives of young people in Otavi by linking emotional support with practical business skills to address unemployment and poverty.
The initiative was led by National Mental Health Care Namibia in partnership with Royalty Empire Investment CC and Unmatched Potential, with funding from B2Gold Namibia and Ohorongo Cement.
The programme combines mental health care with business training to help young entrepreneurs rebuild confidence, earn income and regain hope.
The concept was developed by Cathy Kambanda, founder of National Mental Health Care Namibia, after years of providing frontline mental health services, including a 24-hour suicide prevention and support helpline.
She said repeated calls from distressed young people revealed a strong link between mental health challenges and economic hardship.
“Through our helpline, we kept hearing the same painful stories of unemployment, poverty, and financial pressure,” Kambanda said.
“I realised we cannot address mental health without addressing the economic struggles that cause so many young people to lose hope.”
Kambanda told the Windhoek Observer this week that the programme was designed to shift participants from uncertainty to ownership, moving from “I want to be an entrepreneur” to “I am an entrepreneur.”
After several funding setbacks, the project gained momentum when B2Gold Namibia agreed to sponsor 15 participants, while Ohorongo Cement funded two more. Kambanda personally supported three additional participants.
Interest from the Otavi community was high, with 295 applications received.
Only 20 young entrepreneurs were selected for the programme.
The training focused on mental wellness, personal growth and business development. Participants received coaching in emotional intelligence, stress and resilience management, trauma healing, confidence building and suicide prevention awareness.
The session was paired with entrepreneurship training in business development, market research, branding, financial management, budgeting, compliance, investor readiness, sales and pitching, including ways to start businesses with little or no capital.
Facilitators said the combination of mental health support and business skills was key.
“You cannot build a sustainable business if your mindset is broken,” one facilitator said. “We worked on both the person and the enterprise.”
At the end of the programme, each participant received N$20 000 in seed funding to start or grow their businesses.
Participants say the impact has been significant. Auguste Shinaveni said the programme helped her move from informal trading to structured businesses.
“Before the training, I mixed personal and business money and had no records or budget. Today, my income has increased by more than 300%, and I now manage two restaurants with confidence and clarity,” she said.
She said the mental health coaching helped her build self-worth and lead without guilt.
Loide Heita said the training changed how she runs her business.
“I used to run side businesses without knowing if I was making a profit or a loss. Through the training, I learnt about discipline, planning, and how to present my business professionally,” said Heita.
With the seed funding, she secured her own shop and equipment and grew her income by more than 900%. “The mental health coaching helped me overcome shyness and believe in the value of my work,” she said.
Frans Kativa said the programme gave him direction.
“I was working without purpose and constantly stressed about money. After the training, my savings capacity grew by more than 1 500%.”
He said the mental health support helped him overcome anxiety and fear, allowing him to market his electrical services and seek work beyond his local area.
Organisers said the Otavi programme shows that mental health care and economic empowerment work best together.
“When young people are mentally supported and economically equipped, they don’t just survive; they thrive,” Kambanda said.
