03 Nov 2020

Assistant minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi has hailed Matute a Mongongo cooperative for playing a key role in growing the economy using natural resources.

The project, which is run by a group of 12 women, manufactures cooking oil from Mongongo wild fruits.

The assistant minister hailed the cooperative during a tour to appreciate the project and challenges encountered.

He was impressed to learn that the product had been tested by National Food Technology

Research Centre and that the group was enjoying domestic market.

He explained that government aimed to ensure citizen economic participation and community economic development through the use of local resources as well as transforming the country into a knowledge based economy.

Mr Molebatsi said the project was in line with government’s agenda of achieving a knowledge- based economy.

He appreciated that members used indigenous knowledge to manufacture the oil and assured them of great support to ensure they produce more and expand the market.

He also acknowledged that the group, which initially operated as a company, had finally formed a cooperative, adding that government had decided to revive cooperatives as they could contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.

He encouraged members of Matute a Mongongo Cooperative to work in unity and demonstrate commitment towards their project, which he said was capable of reducing the import bill of oil.

“If the project can produce more oil and supply the nation, we can indeed close borders,” he said.

He promised the group assistance in marketing, more so that he was informed that the Mongongo fruit could be used for various products such as manufacturing of soap, yogurt, juice, butter, custard and livestock feed, among others.

Former Okavango Sub-district Council chairperson, Mr Anderson Mbahahauka, who had been rallying behind the group, appreciated the members for their patience to ensure they produce cold pressed oil.

He wished government could come on board to assist the project, noting that some neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Zambia had shown interest in the product.

He said he also wished the group could have its own factory, saying currently they were housed at a VDC facility.

A member of the group, Ms Divuyu Ndara explained that they manufactured the oil manually, which she said was slow and hoped they could secure machinery to make things easier for them and eventually grow the business.

Ms Ndara said they were capable of producing more oil as the raw material was plenty and appealed for support, adding that the project could also create employment opportunities.

She appreciated assistance from UNDP, which helped with the machinery.

The group initially got financial assistance from the Department of Gender Affairs in 2016, to the tune of P264 000, but it was reported to be inadequate, hence they tried their luck with UNDP to augment what they had. ENDS