Stampriet: A weaving enterprise in Stampriet has expanded from six to 38 employees in just over two years, creating jobs and generating income for surrounding farmers through the purchase of wool. Manager Simon Enkali, a self-taught weaver, on the sidelines of a media familiarisation trip to southern Namibia, told Nampa that the project, which began on a small scale, has developed into a community employer.

According to Namibia Press Agency, ‘We started with six employees and now we have 38 in just over two years, of which eight are women,’ Enkali said. The workshop processes Swakara wool supplied by nearby farmers who are paid for raw material, providing an additional income stream at a time when drought has reduced other opportunities. ‘We buy wool from farmers around Stampriet and that supports them as well,’ Enkali said.

Carpets made at The Mill are exported to the United States, South Africa, and Italy with designs such as rugs, bathroom sets, and wall hangings. ‘I learned the weaving by myself, and now I teach others so they can also make a living,’ he said.

The Mill operates alongside the Mill Boutique Hotel, managed by Emma Lorance, who said that by combining accommodation and textile production, the venture connects tourism with local industry. Visitors are able to see carpets being produced while staying at the hotel, which consists of 15 rooms. ‘The hotel gives visitors a place to rest, but it is also linked to the weaving, which provides jobs for the community. This is important because there are not many employment opportunities in the area,’ she said.

Lorance said this model helps sustain employment in Stampriet and links guests directly with local production. The Mill’s activities were profiled as part of the Namibia Tourism Board’s Southern Experience media tour, which highlights how tourism and related industries can spread benefits beyond flagship destinations.