MAGRETH Kazondunge is known as the brains behind the Namibia Small Contractors Association (NSCA), currently serving as the organisation’s Executive Director that represents, promotes and protects registered contractors in the procurement services. In an interview with Confidente recently, Kazondunge had this to say:
Give us a snapshot of who you are?
Magreth Raezuruka Kazondunge- Omukwena Mbura ua Karukombo born in Katutura glory years ago.
Briefly tell us about your upbringing?
I am the youngest sister from a family of five, raised by my grandma, the late Elfriede Frieda Kuriaa Kazondunge, my late mother Orpa Uaundjua Kazondunge and my brother Brenner Veripi Kazondunge who played a big role in my school years. I was privileged to grow with both my grannies. My grannies were Christians and they loved teaching us hymns around a fire. They taught me to love, respect and tolerate every human being I came across and also encouraged me to render a hand of assistance to others when needed. My father, the late Aron Tjatindi – Omukwauti was a very humble and a family man, traits I treasure. We grew up with the San community nibbling on wild fruit, ozombanywi (maramba nuts),ozohe, omandjembere, omahwe, ozongaru amongst others.
At age of 21, I got married but after four years things changed and I was left with no option but to go back to my parents. I lived in their house again but this time as a mother. It took me three years to recover and heal and thank God for my supportive family and good friends that were a shoulder to cry on.
In 1994 I came to Windhoek for greener pastures. I linked myself to businesspeople by attending business meetings mostly with City of Windhoek. There I learned a lot and also met a very good American mentor, the late Bill and he helped me find a path in business and as they say the rest is history.
I am the founding member of NSCA founded in 2006. I am also a business owner, supplying cleaning material and offering cleaning services. I worked closely with the Ongwediva Trade Fair and the Roads Authority. At some point I decided to sell my house and migrate to a small town in the south, a difficult economic decision I made. At the time I was illiterate and had to change my lifestyle to invest in my four children’s education. We struggled but I do not regret that move because today I am a proud mother of two degree holders (Education & Law) and the other two are in grades 11 and 12 respectively.
Tell us about the establishment of NSCA?
At the time when I had a contract with Roads Authority sleeping in a tent on the roadside between Tsumeb and Otavi, I asked God to help me help many other people. My initial thought was to link current workers to the next contractor because they had skills. I approached RA and informed them about my idea. Our first meeting took place on March 10, 2006 in Windhoek with supportive stakeholders including RA, former InWENT and GIZ. On that day, 50 contractors attended and agreed that I would be their representative.
I went into agreement with RA and pitched the idea at pretender meetings. I did this in various towns as per Roads Authority district offices. This was not an easy exercise, I had to pay with my own resources. After all our efforts, our sponsors were convinced and started to support us with consultancy fees in 2010 and the Ministry of Works and Transport gave us office space. NSCA has seven board members, it’s governed by a constitution and guided by a strategic plan.
What are challenges and opportunities facing NSCA?
NSCA is registered as a Section 21 nonprofit membership organisation. We do not trade or participate in tenders we only capacitate contractors or businesspeople. By this we get our revenue from members’ yearly contribution and training.
Challenges
Funding: We don’t have sponsors as GIZ phased out in 2014.
Lack of skills: Most SMEs don’t have background in construction (architect, engineering, artisans etc) which leads to poor service delivery. If we get funds we will equip our members to be competitive. Some SMEs are reluctant to participate in trainings as they feel that it is a waste of money if they don’t get tenders.
Classification: There is no room for growth. Some stakeholders/ employers keep the same contractors on the same job and their growth is not monitored to allow graduation of the contractors. The current situation is that big companies can easily participate in projects that are suitable for small contractors. This can be solved with the establishment of Namibia Planning and Construction Council (NPCC).
Mushrooming of companies: There is an understanding that construction is a good business to earn big and so most people register and participate in construction tenders but at the end of the day the market cannot absorb everyone.
Lack of accredited trainers: There is a high demand of skills needed and our sector lacks accredited trainers as per NTA requirements
Lack of vehicles: We use public transport to carry out our activities
What activities is the association currently busy with?
We are currently busy with an awareness programme under the theme; ‘Construction awareness drive -building Namibia by Namibians. This training will help contractors understand tender documents in detail because this is the first document they come across when they apply for projects. The programme is spearheaded by the Ministry of Works and Transport. In the long run we have accredited trainings for road contractors as well, calculation and measurements, tendering and measurement, health and safety in construction.
Tell us about your journey in construction? Has it been difficult for you as a female?
Construction used to be a male dominant sector and I was rescued by my experience, skills and commitment to learn from the masters in the industry. I was strongly supported by the Construction Industry Federation. I only happen to sense my gender when I conduct meetings, standing in front of male contractors but it turns out that most are inspired by my speeches. I enjoy what I do and feel proud to witness success of some contractors that I mentored. There are some contractors that have been part of our journey and they still participate in our programmes.
What has life taught you that you wish to share with other women?
‘I am not a product of my circumstances but a product of my decisions and what does not kill you makes you stronger’. Life has taught me that circumstances should not be the reason of one’s failure. Appreciate every situation with a smile and challenge what comes your way. Always do the best and the best will meet you halfway. Be the person you are created to be and do not let education or money change your personality. Make time to listen to others and help others as well. Respect people irrespective of their background and culture. We are for reasons amongst ourselves.
Just what do you do for a little fun?
I attend church and I am also a farmer.
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Driving NSCA to success
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