The best choice is to have sustainable clothing to preserve our environment

How do you work towards a sustainable future?

“Afroprint Line up cycles offcuts to create art on clothing items and bags. In addition, we have created a game to educate players in a fun engaging way about all that is Namibian. That project in collaboration with the United Nations has been really meaningful. We were able to engage the young children and see how they learn more about the SDG in an enjoyable way. The great engagement was really heartfelt!”

Why are textiles important for a sustainable future?

“Clothing has become as permanent as our being since we would probably have to wear clothing for as long as we exist. The best choice is to have sustainable clothing to preserve our environment.”

How might we create a sustainable textile industry?

“By reusing offcuts and biodegradable fabric. These are all global topics and all countries indirectly or directly depend on another therefore decisions are better made in consideration of the global goals.”

What challenges did you have on your career path?

“A big challenge is having good ideas but not having the right machinery to manufacture quality items has and is still a challenge. Rental spaces at affordable prices for small enterprises are also a challenge nowadays.”

What support would help you nowadays?

“It would be great to have machinery support and affordable spaces to showcase our items.”

Which Namibian inspired you? 

“My role models are amongst the Namibian startup founders. They do the most to strive for the best in such a difficult place and it really inspires me.”

What is your vision for Namibia?

“My vision for Namibia is to have more local Namibian companies employing a large number of the unemployed population.”

One book you would like to place on the shelves of every school in the world.

“Who moved my cheese by Spencer Johnson. The motivational business fable tells how to  deal with change in personal and work life.”

Ndeshipanda Ndapunikwa Fikameni is a young female entrepreneur. She has founded Afroprint to up-cycle fabrics and promote eco fashion handcrafted in Namibia.