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Young promising entrepreneurs trade their products, skills and services

Young promising entrepreneurs trade their products, skills and services

Sixteen year-old Florian Fechter who traded as “vetstert.com”, won first prize in 14 to 18 category of the The Bank Windhoek BizzKids Market which took place over the weekend at Maerua Mall Shopping Centre.

A passionate sheep farmer from southern Namibia, Fechter’s business idea is based on selling lamb on the internet. “Lambs are displayed on the website and customers can select their preferred one. For example, there is a contract for lambs between one and four months old. After signing of contracts, the customer will pay a monthly fee. When the lamb is ready to be slaughtered, contact is made with the customer and the carcass will be delivered to them,” said Fechter.

The competition was divided into two different categories. Scholars between the ages of 8 to 13 years competed against each other and while those between 14 to 18 years old, formed the second category.

Fechter thanked Bank Windhoek for the opportunity to promote his business. “I have successfully signed a number of agreements. I will reinvest a portion of the prize money into the business and some of it I will donate to my schools student exchange programme. Thank you Bank Windhoek,” said Fechter.

Thirteen year-old Hendrie Leff, from Gobabis won in the junior category. His business idea is based on recycling wastepaper and traded as “Paper Homemade Briquettes”. “I was not happy with the state of pollution in my town and came up with this solution,” said Leff. With the help of his father, he collected waste paper around the town.

After that he invented a machine that compressed the papers into cubes. “With this, one can save on buying expensive charcoal or gas,” said Leef. The two machines with a manual on how to build it, was also for sale.

“I participated in a science fair some time back in Windhoek and did not win. But this time around I can go back home and to my school feeling very proud of my achievement. I would like to say thank you to my family, school and most importantly, Bank Windhoek for this amazing opportunity,” said Leef.

“Congratulations to all the winners of the two categories. A special appreciation goes to all the participants for being passionate and dedicated – the judges, including myself, were impressed. You are all winners in the eyes of Bank Windhoek. We believe that you are indeed future entrepreneurs of our country. Thank you Maerua Mall Shopping Centre for hosting our young entrepreneurs,” said Bank Windhoek’s executive officer of marketing and corporate communication services, Jacquiline Pack.

Bank Windhoek BizzKids Competition is an entrepreneurial competition, designed to help scholars realize their business ideas. It was established eight years ago and is a platform created for scholars across Namibia, between the ages of 8 and 18. The selected finalists come together and compete by selling and promoting their business ideas, products, services and skills.

Below is the full list of winners;

Category 8 to 13 years:

First Place; Hendrie Leff (13) from Ben van der Walt Primary School, Gobabis. He won N$ 7000 for himself and N$ 5000 for his school.

Second Place; Daniel James (10), Ajê Engelbrecht (11) and Christian Engelbrecht (9) trading as “Juice It Fruit Juice” from Omeya Private School, Windhoek. They won N$ 5000.

Third Place; Nourhan Elshewikhy (9) trading as “A Bag of Cookies” from Van Rhyn Primary School, Windhoek. She won N$ 3000.

Category 14 to 18 years:

First Place; Florian Fechter (16) trading as “vetstert.com” from Deutsche Hohere Privatschule (DHPS), Windhoek. He won N$7000 for himself and N$ 5000 for his school.

Second Place; Patrick Beggs (16) trading as “Bottle A Meal” from Deutsche Hohere Privatschule (DHPS), Windhoek. He won N$5000.

Third Place (joint); Luka Serrer (16) trading as “Luka’s Sweet Sins” from St Pauls College, Windhoek. He won N$3000.

Ruan du Toit (18) and Ettiene du Toit (16) trading as “Braai Nation”, from Windhoek High School, Windhoek. They won N$3000.


Caption: Top young entrepreneur: Bank Windhoek’s executive officer of marketing and corporate communication services, Jacquiline Pack, Florian Fechter (16) trading as “vetstert.com” from Deutsche Hohere Privatschule (DHPS) and Bank Windhoek’s head of brand marketing, Carmen-Rae Bridgens.


 

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