A taste of Namibia

Sai's Kitchen is a traditional cuisine restaurant, established in March 2017 by Saima Mukwiilongo. The business has employed 11 staff members and has become a tourist attraction because it offers traditional food and is located in the heart of Katutura, in Havana.

Mukwiilongo says the difficulty of finding a job after university and the resulting hardships motivated her decision to start her own business.

"I realised that it is best I create employment for myself and one or two other people," she said.

She used a refund for a study loan to start Sai’s kitchen. The hunger to help her community grow and to inspire and mentor the youth keeps her motivated on a daily basis to continue running her business.

The uniqueness of the food at Sai's Kitchen has attracted people from different parts of Namibia to visit.

The restaurant is distinctive because it is an informal eatery that offers customers a new and different experience and environment in which to enjoy traditional food.

Among the challenges Mukwiilongo has experienced are delivery logistics—from time to time, due to transport difficulties, the restaurant is unable to deliver orders on time.

Mukwiilongo believes that running a business is a journey and that having a vision is essential. Throughout her journey, her priorities haven’t changed, and she has continued to learn and to find ways to improve as a business woman.

She does not regret any of her mistakes and values them as important lessons.

"My advice to the youth is to start where you are and venture into an area that you are best at," she said.