Six young entrepreneurs in the Zambezi Region have received business equipment valued at N$100,000 through a donation by KUZAM Investment, aimed at boosting their small businesses in sectors such as catering, agriculture, laundry, printing, and salon services.

The donation was made as part of KUZAM Investment’s corporate social responsibility initiative, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. The beneficiaries were selected based on their innovation and the challenges they face in running their businesses.

Zambezi Governor Alufea Sampofu urged the recipients to make full use of the equipment.

"The past years we have seen the Ministry of Gender giving some equipment and tools for our people to go and do some businesses, small projects; most of them, they just went to pack those equipment; some, they even sold it – wheelbarrows, spades, digging forks, water pipes—everything," said Sampofu. "Something where you are given to be able to put up a garden and produce something for yourself and your family and also the people around you, even to create employment for the youth."

Among the six beneficiaries is 27-year-old Mwaka Malamo, a hair braider from Sangwali, who said the donation would help her expand her services.

"I want to give my appreciation for all the salon equipment I received. I've been braiding and doing hair for a long time without having any of the equipment. Now that I have it, I will use it well. I'm definitely starting tomorrow. I'm now able to do more than just braiding; I have a hair blower, dryer and a lot more now to be able to service them."

Champa Munembo, 33, a horticulture farmer in Kongola, employs two people on his one-hectare farm and said the support will help him scale.

"I am a new horticulture farmer specialising in cabbages, spinach, tomatoes and green peppers, and the reason is because these are the produce that most people prefer and buy easily, so the equipment I've received will be of big help in growing my project."

KUZAM Investment operations officer, Tashiya Angula, said the company is committed to youth development.

"You are not only the future of our communities; you are the heartbeat of our nation. Your courage to innovate, to build and to lead, especially in the face of adversity, is the reason we believe strongly in investing in you."

Items donated include gas stoves, laptops, printers, water tanks, gardening tools, hair dryers, salon towels, washing machines and more.