13 Jan 2014

On a normal day, New Xade Cooperative Society offers an eventful shopping spree.

Located in an easy to find place in the centre of the settlement, the relatively small shop is everything one needs in such an isolated place; stocking is from food to dishes, baskets, drinks, books and even bits of clothing.

Hence when it is opened, the shop attendants have no other option but to yield to customers coming for groceries, toiletry, clothing and building materials, among others. “These people love tea, and coffee and sugar are the most sought after here,” said Ms Kuka Sarop, New Xade Cooperative Society shop manager.

Despite it being a popular spot in the tiny village, the cooperative authorities still feel there is more that can be done to support the establishment.  “We want the council authorities to see us as a viable business model they can trust,” said Ms Sarop.

According to her, although New Xade Multi Cooperative Society has all the support from the community, this is not the case with some government establishments. “We are not getting tenders that we should be getting; we only get small tenders to silence us,” she pointed.

For instance, she argued that they are not getting the lucrative tender for the supply of food rations for the destitute and orphanage. That, Ms Sarop argued defeated the government agenda of empowering the local communities especially those in the rural and remote areas.

And what pains the New Xade residents is that at month end, those awarded the tender would come with loaded vehicles to distribute food staff, while they watch from stands.  “We are in business and we have all the requirements, why they are not supporting us is a mystery,” said the soft-spoken Ms Sarop.

She said after losing out on the lucrative tender, they were told that their prices were high, which is unsatisfactory as they priced in line with other cooperatives in the area.

Yet, she said those cooperatives were awarded the tenders to the dismay of the New Xade Multi Cooperative Society. “We have accepted their reasoning although we suspect there is something they are not telling us about,” she highlighted.

According to her, it is puzzling why people as far as Maun would be awarded tenders in a rural settlement while there are capable enterprises there.

Despite having lost out on the tender, New Xade Multi Cooperative Society had not dwelled on the past grievance as they forge ahead. “We also have a truck which we use to ferry cattle for farmers to various destinations, she added.

Further, members of the community would hire the truck and the cooperative society would reap in return.

Although the cooperative movement in the country has suffered many setbacks and some closing down due to various administrative squabbles, New Xade Multi Cooperative Society is an exception. “There is bright future ahead of us, we are not experiencing any administrative problem at the moment,” said Ms Sarop.

In fact, she said New Xade Multi Cooperative Society New Xade Multi Cooperative Society will roll out more ventures to expand its business operations. “Our main plan is to have another business operation in Ghanzi, we also want to build offices to lease there,” said.

The Cooperative society employs about four staff members from the settlement and Ms Sarop said it is their hope to find more employment avenues for the residents of New Xade, with a population of 1269 according to the latest census. ENDS