Patience Makwele
For many teenagers, spending time in the kitchen may feel like a chore. But for Windhoek entrepreneur Oubasen Naris Valery, it marked the start of a journey that would shape her career.
The Katutura-born mother of two says her interest in cooking began when she was about 15 years old while watching her mother prepare meals at home.
“I used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with my mother,” Valery recalled. “Watching her cook inspired me to try new things and add my own touch to meals.”
What began as a curiosity slowly developed into a skill as she experimented with different flavours and recipes.
Years later, that teenage interest has grown into a catering business that serves clients in Windhoek and nearby communities.
Valery said she realised cooking could become more than a hobby after noticing how people reacted to her food.
“Seeing people happy after eating my food gave me confidence. It made me realise that cooking was something I could do not just for my family but for many other people,” she said.
Her business now provides catering for events and gatherings. It has also created jobs for two young women who assist her in the kitchen.
Valery said running her own business has allowed her to show her daughters that they can create opportunities for themselves.
“Running my own business shows my daughters that they can create opportunities for themselves,” she said.
“You don’t always have to follow the traditional path if you have a talent you can develop,” she expressed.
One of the ideas that later became popular with customers started as a simple kitchen experiment.
The idea for her “dirty fries” came one morning while she was trying different toppings and sauces.
“I just started adding different things to fries for fun. When people tried it, they loved it. That’s when I realised creativity in the kitchen can lead to great ideas,” she expressed.
She said the experience taught her that trying new ideas can lead to unexpected results.
Building the business has also brought challenges. Like many entrepreneurs, she had to deal with financial pressure and the uncertainty of starting something on her own.
She believes women in business often face extra pressure to prove themselves.
“Sometimes women have to work twice as hard to be recognised. But if you stay focused and believe in your abilities, things start to fall into place.”
Valery said support from the community helped her continue growing the business.
She also sees cooking as a way to bring people together and celebrate culture. She enjoys combining traditional Namibian flavours with new ideas for her dishes.
“Food is about connection,” she said. “Every dish tells a story about where we come from.”
Alongside her catering work, Valery has started offering seasonal cooking training sessions for people interested in learning culinary skills.
She hopes to inspire young Namibians to nurture their talents and transform them into opportunities.
Her advice to those who want to start their own ventures is simple.
“Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have and keep improving along the way.”
