Matsapha Mayor Visits Windhoek to Explore Innovation, Manufacturing, and Entrepreneurial Collaboration

Matsapha Mayor Visits Windhoek to Explore Innovation, Manufacturing, and Entrepreneurial Collaboration. Her Worship Lindiwe Dlamini, Mayor of Matsapha Town Council in the Kingdom of Eswatini, led a delegation to Windhoek, Namibia, to explore innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration with local counterparts. The visit included meetings with Her Worship Ndeshihafela Larandja, Mayor of Windhoek, and tours of key innovation and business hubs in the city.

The delegation’s first stop was the High-Tech Transfer Plaza Select (HTTPS) at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). As NUST’s flagship innovation hub, HTTPS provides a platform for research, technological advancement, and collaboration between academia, industry, government, and international partners. Delegates were introduced to the hub’s programs fostering innovation and cross-border partnerships.

Next, the visitors explored Oshetu Market, also known as Single Quarters, where they experienced Namibia’s culinary offerings, including the local kapana served with mahangu pap.

The tour proceeded to Dinapama Manufacturing and Supplies, a 100% Namibian-owned garment manufacturer. Managing Director David Namalenga highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration, while Mayor Larandja emphasized mutual learning opportunities between Namibia and Eswatini. Mayor Dlamini noted Matsapha’s extensive textile industry, supplying leading retailers and producing components for global brands.

The delegation also visited the Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre, which hosts 43 business units, predominantly SMEs producing traditional clothing, furniture, and local foods. They were particularly impressed by initiatives such as Okahadi, which provides training and employment for young entrepreneurs.

The final stop was the City of Windhoek Waste Buy-Back Centre, an EU-supported initiative promoting recycling. Delegates commended Windhoek’s innovative approach to waste management compared to landfill practices in Matsapha.

The visit highlighted opportunities for city-to-city collaboration, with both municipalities reaffirming their commitment to learning from one another, supporting entrepreneurship, and building sustainable economic and social futures.