Fwelimbi turns wood into livelihood at Nkasa Rupara

SANGWALI – At the gateway to Nkasa Rupara National Park in the Zambezi region, Chrispin Fwelimbi is turning pieces of wood into a livelihood, one handcrafted souvenir at a time.

Born and raised in the Mayeye community of Sangwali, Fwelimbi has transformed his passion for woodworking into a small business that attracts tourists, visitors and local customers travelling to and from one of Namibia’s renowned wildlife destinations.

Since establishing his craft business in 2015, Fwelimbi has been carving indigenous timber into miniature elephants, warthogs, mokoros, spears, wooden knives and other curios that reflect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.

His workshop, strategically positioned near a bridge serving as an entry point to Nkasa Rupara National Park, benefits from tourists travelling to the park and nearby accommodation establishments, including Jackalberry Camp, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge, Rupara Rest Camp and Livingstone Campsite.

“I started this business in 2015, and what I am doing here is curious woodwork. I use different trees such as leadwood, kiaat and mopane,” Fwelimbi said.

Unlike mass-produced souvenirs, each wooden piece is crafted by hand, with some requiring considerable patience and skill, particularly intricate carvings depicting animals.

Leadwood, known for its exceptionally hard timber, is among the materials he uses, while kiaat provides another option for his artistic creations.

Fwelimbi said the prices of his products depend on their size, type of wood and the difficulty involved in producing them.

While tourists constitute a significant part of his clientele, he also serves local customers, whom he charges differently from international visitors.

Beyond woodworking, Fwelimbi has established a small market for women in the community who weave traditional baskets.

He buys and sells their baskets on a commission basis, allowing women to earn income from their craftsmanship while expanding the variety of products available at his business.

“I am not alone. Women in the village and the community bring their baskets here, and I sell them on their behalf. I only get a commission from their baskets,” he explained.

Passing on the skills

For Fwelimbi, the business is not only about earning an income but also preserving traditional craftsmanship and ensuring that his children acquire practical skills for their future.

During school holidays and weekends, he brings his sons to the workshop, where they learn to make wooden curios, including miniature mokoros, spears and knives.

He said he deliberately starts them with simpler wooden products before gradually introducing more complicated designs.

“I am teaching them because I will not live with them for up to 100 years. I want to pass on the knowledge so that they can feed themselves and earn a living when I am no longer with them,” he said.

His sons have already started producing some of the wooden items displayed at the workshop, demonstrating how the business is becoming a family enterprise.

Fwelimbi, who is married and has children, said the craft business contributes to supporting his family while providing an opportunity to nurture the next generation of artisans.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite its strategic location and potential to benefit from tourism, Fwelimbi said his business faces challenges that limit its growth.

Operating in a forested area outside the village, he requires a strong security fence to protect his workshop from wildlife, particularly elephants and buffaloes that roam the area.

He also needs a chainsaw to improve productivity, as cutting timber manually with an axe is physically demanding and time-consuming.

“Cutting with an axe is not easy. It is hard work. If someone or a company could assist me with a strong fence and a chainsaw, my project would progress better,” he said.

Fwelimbi said he sometimes employs two or three helpers when collecting timber or fulfilling larger orders, creating temporary employment opportunities for other community members.

However, he believes greater exposure through trade fairs could significantly expand his market.

He recalled participating in trade fairs in Ongwediva before the Covid-19 pandemic, but said local artisans have since stopped receiving invitations to exhibit their products.

He hopes organisers of the Ongwediva and Zambezi trade fairs, as well as the relevant authorities, will consider supporting small businesses from rural communities by facilitating their participation and helping transport their products to exhibitions outside the region.

Such platforms, he believes, could expose his products to a wider market and create opportunities for increased sales.

A message to the youth

Beyond his business ambitions, Fwelimbi has a message for young people in rural communities who remain unemployed while waiting for formal employment.

He believes entrepreneurship and practical skills offer an alternative path to financial independence, particularly in communities with tourism potential.

“Do not depend on the government. Money is not only from government employment. Anything you do to generate income is money for your living,” he said.

He urged young people who have completed Grade 12 or university to explore alternative income-generating activities rather than remaining idle while waiting for job opportunities.

“Do something. Have an alternative before they call you for a government job. Otherwise, you cannot survive,” he said.

For Fwelimbi, every piece of timber represents more than a souvenir. It is an opportunity to earn a living, support his family, empower fellow community members and preserve skills that might otherwise disappear.

At the entrance to Nkasa Rupara National Park, his workshop stands as a reminder that with creativity, determination and the right support, rural entrepreneurship can turn local resources and talent into sustainable livelihoods.

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