Clothing sector part of industrialisation agenda

The textile and clothing industry is a key component of Namiba’s industrialisation agenda as it is aligned with the country’s ‘growth at home’ strategy.

The strategy seeks to promote local production, value addition and the development of domestic manufacturing capacity.

Deputy minister of international relations and trade Jenelly Matundu said this at the official inauguration and commissioning of the new digital sublimation technology at Dinapama Manufacturing and Supplies in the northern industrial area of Windhoek recently.

“There are products currently being imported that capable local manufacturers can produce competitively. Government institutions, the private sector and customers should therefore support Namibian enterprises that can meet the standards of quality,” she said.

Matundu said the new Dinapama Investment is also aligned with the sixth National Development Plan, which recognises manufacturing as a key driver of economic diversification, employment creation and sustainable economic growth, while positioning textiles as an emerging area for value-added production and greater participation in regional and international markets.

“The new digital sublimation technology being integrated today is therefore a strategic investment which will enable Dinapama to produce high-quality, precise and customised apparel and digitally printed textile products for corporates, schools, sport, promotional activities and other markets,” she said.

The deputy minister highlighted that behind this investment was a carefully cultivated diplomatic relationship between Namibia and China.

“This is economic diplomacy translated into development which speaks directly to our ambition to strengthen local value chains and reduce unnecessary dependence on imported goods,” she said.

Matundu, however, said technology alone cannot transform the economy.

“People must be at the centre of industrialisation, and I therefore urge Dinapama to deepen its investments in apprenticeships, skills development and the transfer of technical knowledge to young Namibians,” she said.

“We must build a Namibia that produces, processes, manufactures, innovates and exports, and the commissioning of this new digital sublimation technology is a step in the right direction,” she said.

The deputy minister said with the right partnerships, technology, skills and determination, Namibian enterprises can grow, create employment and compete in already existing markets such as the Southern African Development Community region and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Before taking the deputy minister on a tour of the textile factory and the state-of-the-art machinery, Dinapama managing director David Namalenga said the company, which now employs about 500 people, was formed after the collapse of Ramatex Clothing factory at Otjomuise.

“We are a product of the unions, and we started with only seven employees at a stall in Wanaheda,” he said.

Namalenga said because of strong worker participation, the company has grown over the years.

Namalenga said the new digital machine is used for designing garments with precision before the designs are transferred onto clothing material.

In a speech read on his behalf, former Namibian ambassador to China Elia Kaiyamo, who helped facilitate the importation of the machinery from China, praised Dinapama’s vision, determination and confidence in Namibia’s industrial future.

“This strengthens the manufacturing sector base and encourages downstream industries and our country to participate in regional trade,” he said.

– matthew@namibian.com.na

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