HISTORY

* PARTICIPATION IN WORKING GROUPS, TASK TEAMS AND STEERING COMMITTEES :

In Southern Africa:

Southern Africa Natural Products Trade Association (SANProTA) Interim Steering Group, includes NGOs involved in natural product R&D in Botswana (VPR&D), Malawi (Nkomano Centre for Development), Namibia (CRIAA SA-DC), Zambia (Keepers Foundation) and Zimbabwe (ITDG and SAFIRE); from Nov. 2000

In Namibia:

Promotion of Indigenous Fruits Project Steering Committee (Indigenous Fruits Task Team): DART-MAWRD (chair), NBRI, DoP-MAWRD, DEES-MAWRD, MTI, MHETEC, NAB, UNAM, Polytech, NNFU, DRFN, CRIAA SA-DC (member); from May 2000

Wild Silk Project Steering Committee: includes DART-MAWRD (chair), National Museum (MBEC), MTI, NDC, NAU, DRFN, OXFAMs, Ben Hur RDC, CRIAA SA-DC (member); from Jan. 2000.

Focal Groups of the National Biodiversity Task Force, under the National Biodiversity Programme Co-ordination Unit within the Directorate of Environment Affairs (DEA) (MET):

Traditional Knowledge Focal Group, includes Namibia’s Biodiversity Programme Co-ordinators (DEA), NBRI (MAWRD), UNAM, WIMSA and CRIAA SA-DC; from 1999

· Biotrade Focal Group, includes DEA (MET), NBRI (MAWRD), DoP (MAWRD), UNAM, MTI, DRFN and CRIAA SA-DC; from 1999

Devil’s Claw Working Group: under the auspices of MET, constituted following the 1st National Devil’s Claw Stakeholders’ Workshop to co-ordinate all activities around Devil’s Claw, including policy, research and development, DSSS-MET (chair), DoP-MAWRD, NBRI, CRIAA SA-DC (member); from Mar. 2000

Small-Scale Mahangu Milling Project Steering Committee: NAB (chair), DoP-MAWRD, MMIU, UNAM, NNFU, CRIAA SA-DC (consultants); from June 1998 to Oct. 2000

Mahangu Marketing Intelligence Unit (MMIU) Project Steering Committee: NAB, DoP-MAWRD, DEES-MAWRD, MMIU, LFCU, KRFU, NNFC, OMAFA, NDC, NNRCCI, CRIAA SA-DC (invitee); from July 1996

Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) on Small and Medium Enterprises: member since creation in Apr. 1995

* RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND OCCASIONAL PAPERS :

- Benefit-Sharing in Namibia - Case Study of Devil’s Claw, paper prepared for the National Biodiversity Programme in Namibia, by D. Cole & P. du Plessis, CRIAA SA-DC, Windhoek, Mar. 2001

- Mahangu Post-Harvest Systems: a Summary of Current Knowledge About Pearl Millet Post-Harvest Issues in Namibia, research report prepared for the Directorate of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (MAWRD) and the Namibian Agronomic Board, by M. Mallet & P. du Plessis (CRIAA SA-DC), MAWRD, Windhoek, Mar. 2001

- Promoting Mahangu and Sorghum in Namibia, strategy and action plan, and proceedings of the Workshop to Develop a Strategy for the Multiple Use of Mahangu and Sorghum in Namibia, prepared for the Directorate of Agricultural Research and Training, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (MAWRD) and the Namibian Agronomic Board, by P. du Plessis (CRIAA SA-DC), MAWRD, Windhoek, Jan. 2001

- The Sustainably Harvested Devil’s Claw Project - Some Primary Producers’ Issues, paper presented by D. Cole (CRIAA SA-DC) at the Medicinal Plant Forum for Commonwealth Africa, Cape Town, Dec. 2000

- The Sustainably Harvested Devil’s Claw Project in Namibia, background information and discussion on harvesters’ issues, by C. Lombard (CRIAA SA-DC), in IUCN/Medicinal Plant Conservation Newsletter, vol. 6, Jun. 2000

KATUTURA ARTISANS PROJECT

Corner Andrew Mogalie & Attie Potgieter Streets - Katutura

(Next to the NDC Menarovandu Workshop Stalls)

P.O. BOX 23778, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

TEL: 21 63 08 KATUTURA

MANAGEMENT: CRIAA SA-DC - Tel. (061) 220 117 / 225 009 - Fax: (+264.61) 232 293

Katutura Artisans’ Project (KAP) is a service centre for the promotion of small-scale artisans, mainly from the informal sector, with the aim of stimulating employment and income generation.

KAP tries not to duplicate other development interventions; rather than providing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with credit and entrepreneurship training, KAP has deliberately taken an approach based on technology promotion and closeness to the production process and the day-to-day work of producers.

KAP currently provides the following services for SMEs:

· ‘Katshoesup’ (Katutura Shoemakers Supplies): bulk buying and low-margin retailing of raw materials and tools, largely for artisans in the leather goods manufacturing trade

· Pay-per-use ‘common facility’ access to little-used machines (shoe finisher/polisher, battery charger, hydraulic press, ...)

· Technical training ‘à la carte’ and training-with-production of entrepreneurs with machines made by KAP for sale

· Small workshop spaces at low rentals as ‘incubator units’ for emerging businesses (available units limited)

· Marketing and promotion: fence-wire, Mahangu meal, oils from Marula kernels, Manketti nuts and Melon seeds, Devil’s Claw tea, and participation in Trade Fairs and exhibitions

· Business advice and facilitation of access to credit and entrepreneurship training

· Technology information, demonstration, research and development, and dissemination

KAP has also embarked on appropriate technology research and development for SMEs, as well as for development institutions and NGOs in Namibia and the SADC region:

· Technology research and development, design, manufacturing and dissemination:

- Hand operated wire netting machine

- Hydraulic oil presses

- Nut crackers (Marula, Manketti, ...)

- Fruit juice presses

- Hand operated Mahangu (pearl millet) pre-cleaner/grader

- Improved equipment for Mahangu processing (fermentation and drying)

- Soap-making from cold-pressed oils

· Processing trials of local plant materials:

- Cold-pressing of oilnuts and oilseeds: Marula kernels, Manketti nuts, Melon seeds, Sunflower, ...

- Food processing of Mahangu (pearl millet)

- Devil’s Claw processing

- Marula juice

KAP provides ad-hoc (technical and business) training and consultancy services to suit the needs of SMEs, NGOs and development institutions.

A project supported by the Division of Small and Informal Industries of the Ministry of Trade and Industry

Through CRIAA’s development action, our researchers, development experts and consultants have gained the following specific experiences in Namibia:

* Agricultural and Farmers’ Co-operative Development in Caprivi (1990-96): technical assistance to the Likwama Farmers' Co-operative Union in the Caprivi region in agricultural marketing and supply co-operative services, post harvest and agri-processing technologies, business planning and capacity building, staff training and workshop facilitation.

* Advise and Technical Support to Farmers' Organisations and Agricultural Service Co-operatives (1991-94): Namibia National Farmers' Union (NNFU), Likwama Farmers' Co-operative Union, Katemo Co-operative, Eastern Epukiro Farmers' Association.

* Skills Training and Employment Creation for Semi-Skilled Repatriated Artisans (1991-93): training in metal work and auto-mechanics, in business management and entrepreneurship of a group of 20 returnees in Katutura who eventually established their own businesses.

* Service Centre for the Manufacturing Informal Sector Entrepreneurs (1994-96): setting up through needs assessment surveys, and management for MTI of the Katutura Artisans’ Project providing support services and technology development assistance to entrepreneurs for job creation and enterprise development in the leather-, metal- and wood-work sectors.

* Emergency Resettlement Programme (1992-93): agency designated by the Ministry of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (MLRR) for the EC funded Emergency Resettlement Programme in 7 resettlement and rehabilitation centres throughout the country, it included infrastructure and economic facility development, distribution of inputs, agricultural and irrigation development, training and community development, programme monitoring and co-ordination through a MLRR/CRIAA programme steering committee.

* Low Cost Housing (1991-94): Ombili project in Okuryangava (Katutura) funded by the French Government for the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing (MRLGH), in co-ordination with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and the Municipality of Windhoek. Construction of 300 core housing units with the direct participation of the beneficiary community trained in construction technique and organised in building units.

* Municipal Planning and Development in Rundu, Namibia (1993-95):

· Basic infrastructure development (water, road and electricity) in Sauyemwa area, formalising of the Donkerhoek settlement through a process of community participative planning leading to securing land tenure and developing basic infrastructures, technical support to the Municipality, funded by the French Government for the MRLGH, (1993-94).

· Preparation for Lux-Development of a programme document for developing with the Town Council, Municipality and inhabitants a Rundu Master Plan and Strategic Plan, (1995).

* Research Report on Land and Municipal Development Policy of Namibia (1995):

« Eléments d’analyse de la politique foncière et de municipalisation des autorités namibiennes - Impact et perspectives des réalisations dans les zones péri-urbaines » CRIAA, Windhoek, Sep. 1995, research commissioned by the French Ministry for Co-operation and Development.

* Manual on Town and Regional Planning Practice in Namibia (1995):

Volume 1: Reference Book & Volume 2: Handbook, Windhoek, Nov. 1995, prepared for The Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) by the Namibian Institute of Town and Regional Planners with the technical assistance of TRP Associates and CRIAA, sponsored by CRIAA and the European Commission.