Investing in renewable energy

A Namibian company that was born in the northern part of Namibia and specialises in installing home solar systems, electrical installations as well as modifying traditional homesteads in the Olupale area.
Michelline Nawatises
Monique Adams

Etango Power Engineering was founded by Joseph Kapofi in a joint venture with two other members, namely Samuel Kapofi and Shipanga Ayehe.

Born and raised at Ongha in the Ohangwena Region, Kapofi knew that the people in villages struggled with electricity.

“Being the eldest of six children and growing up in the village I realised that most traditional houses do not have electricity and so my aim was to come up with solutions, which is why we started supplying and installing solar systems,” Joseph Kapofi says.

The name ‘Etango’ means ‘Sun’ in Oshiwambo.

The company is known for delivering the best services and always sticks to their clients’ budget, one thing their clients know very well.

They are also very good at modernising ‘Olupale’ (a natural hole, hollow, or small depression that contains water, used by man and animals, especially in arid areas) at traditional homesteads for special events such as weddings.

“A lot of people ask, why solar energy? Well, in Namibia we are blessed with very strong sunlight, so why not make use of it? Solar energy is on the pricey side but is worth the investment, as the sun will always be there and you can depend on it as it never disappoint,” he says.

Just like any other business, there will always be challenges but at Etango Power Engineering they acknowledge the obstacles they face and learn from them.

“We acknowledge all our projects as achievements. But the smiles we put on our clients’ faces is an achievement to us, especially the words that we receive from elderly clients after beautifying their home, that for us is a blessing,” he says.

Kapofi says it is very important his employees are hardworking, disciplined and dedicated. “In this line of work we come across different people so it is important they know how to work with different personalities.”

Currently there are five permanent employees and three interns. Kapofi would like to employ more young people who have studied at vocational training centres to reduce the unemployment in Namibia.

“Young people that are studying at vocational centres and the ones that are willing to learn on the job, we offer internship programmes.

“Success for us is being able to provide our clients a quality and state-of-the-art work, so that for us is what true success is,” he says.

He says aspiring entrepreneurs should not give up with the first mistake or first obstacle that comes their way, but rather remind themselves why they started in the first place and continue on with their journey.