The Roots unique novel project
Empowering the small-scale farmer with the title, deed and property
A unique model which combines intensive farming of livestock and permanent crops
JHM enterprises (Roots Trademark) was established in the mid-2000s, predominantly as a property development company, focusing on the housing demand as well as education (Windhoek Gymnasium to mention one). Roots was born 7 years ago; the farm was bought (Stampriet) in 2015. The founder of Roots is Johan Rieckert, who established the company with a life passion for developing the young people of Namibia as mentioned above (education) originally, but the need to add a second pillar to counter the imbalance of food security and production in our country was what truly allowed it to grow.
The Roots development, located at Stampriet, offers community-based living with a sustainable future. This agricultural village is based on a unique model which combines intensive farming of livestock and permanent crops with an agricultural college for education in food security, a retirement village, a lifestyle village and various business opportunities. The Roots development is based on the new concept of agricultural towns that first create a mini-economy in the agricultural town, and then grows exponentially until it exports products to the international market.
Roots Trademark started off as a dream which aimed to inspire to empower the Namibian youth, and now it has about 300 and aims to have created jobs for about 1 500 by the end of 2023. “Empowerment along with life passion, too often our job description collides with our life passion and that is counterproductive,” says Regardt Lourens, the managing director.
Roots Trademark primarily offers agriculture and manufacturing; they are the lifeline of the business. The product range various from chicken products to sauces, frozen food and value additions. Property still remains one of the key pillars of the business model. Careers asked what some of the challenges have been with running a powerful enterprise like Roots and Lourens said: “Because our model is so unique, we initially struggled with financing. Currently we’ve have invested over N$200 million of our own capital in the project. We are however pleased that government-owned banks have now come on board. The future looks bright.”
When it comes to Roots’ achievements, the biggest has been the acceptance of the Namibian people, which was always a big part of the plan. The Roots trademark is currently receiving accolades from different sectors globally (the US, Asia), which is a huge achievement but there is more to come.
Careers asked Lourens what advice he would give to young people who aspire to run an enterprise as meaningful as Roots one day. “Well, as I mentioned, life passion must be the goal, that must be the spiritual driver. Secondly, align yourself with inspiring individuals and never neglect the educational process. Namibia is such a special country. A dramatic turnaround is right in front of us; we must just grab it. If we can drive economic growth and take hands, we can become the Switzerland of Africa.”
The Roots development, located at Stampriet, offers community-based living with a sustainable future. This agricultural village is based on a unique model which combines intensive farming of livestock and permanent crops with an agricultural college for education in food security, a retirement village, a lifestyle village and various business opportunities. The Roots development is based on the new concept of agricultural towns that first create a mini-economy in the agricultural town, and then grows exponentially until it exports products to the international market.
Roots Trademark started off as a dream which aimed to inspire to empower the Namibian youth, and now it has about 300 and aims to have created jobs for about 1 500 by the end of 2023. “Empowerment along with life passion, too often our job description collides with our life passion and that is counterproductive,” says Regardt Lourens, the managing director.
Roots Trademark primarily offers agriculture and manufacturing; they are the lifeline of the business. The product range various from chicken products to sauces, frozen food and value additions. Property still remains one of the key pillars of the business model. Careers asked what some of the challenges have been with running a powerful enterprise like Roots and Lourens said: “Because our model is so unique, we initially struggled with financing. Currently we’ve have invested over N$200 million of our own capital in the project. We are however pleased that government-owned banks have now come on board. The future looks bright.”
When it comes to Roots’ achievements, the biggest has been the acceptance of the Namibian people, which was always a big part of the plan. The Roots trademark is currently receiving accolades from different sectors globally (the US, Asia), which is a huge achievement but there is more to come.
Careers asked Lourens what advice he would give to young people who aspire to run an enterprise as meaningful as Roots one day. “Well, as I mentioned, life passion must be the goal, that must be the spiritual driver. Secondly, align yourself with inspiring individuals and never neglect the educational process. Namibia is such a special country. A dramatic turnaround is right in front of us; we must just grab it. If we can drive economic growth and take hands, we can become the Switzerland of Africa.”
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