By Hilja Shikongo

Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare says he is proud of Hakahana Commercial Printers for being a trendsetter as the only fully black-owned press in the country.  Ngurare made these remarks during a visit and tour of the printers’ facilities in Windhoek on, Thursday. Hakahana Commercial Printers has a staff complement of 75 permanent employees, 65 casual workers and eight intern.

They print a wide range of products produced on-site, including newspapers, textbooks, health passports and magazines. 
Advising the printers’ managing director, Max Hamata, the prime minister said: “We are proud of you.  We know your journey. We are proud of you. Continue doing the great work that you are doing. Remain steadfast, do not be moved. There will be turbulences but that too will pass,”  “I was impressed by the machines I saw. Why should we export printing work while we have the capacity here to do them?” questioned Ngurare. 

He said such enterprises deserve full support from government in order to create employment and ultimately, for peace and security in the country.  “I think when a company is 100% Namibian, we in government support the Namibian companies. 100% companies, as well as those that are in joint ventures. Nations are built when companies are thriving,” Ngurare added.

 On his part, Hamata expressed concern over the exportation of printing jobs at the detriment of Namibian companies and the unemployed young people in the country.  He noted that the company plans on expanding to assist in job creation, innovation and growth of the printing sector through many initiatives such as the internship recruitment programme. “We can do a lot, if we have the right support and if we are given the opportunity,” said Hamata.