By:Annakleta Haikera
Twenty-two years old Eberhard Kakoro employs 20 people and has a vision to change the trajectory of his region, the Kavango East.
Amidst high unemployment rate, Kakoro began his security services business with a N$3,000 seed capital injection. He started the business when he was only 18 after falling short of obtaining 40 points and more in grade 12 to qualify for studies in medicine at the University of Namibia.
“In 2020 and 2021 there was an increase in housebreaking and burglary cases during the festive seasons, particularly in the Rainbow Village residential area where I currently reside. I learned quickly that residents didn’t feel safe in their homes and that some left their homes unattended to travel during this period,” he told The Villager.
This is how he saw the opportunity to offer security guard services to homeowners in that area, he said.
“I decided to count how many houses there were in Rainbow Village and began to draft a letter offering security guard services to all 255 houses in the area.I visited all houses with two men I employed at the time dressed in a security guard uniform I purchased in Windhoek for N$ 3,000. This is the capital that got me started,” he narrates.
While the start was tough, and never heard back from the homeowners, he eventually found his feet, and his company now offers services in protecting the premises and property of close to 10 private companies in Rundu.
Besides all those that he has employed, Kakoro also works as a guard himself.
“Today I can proudly say I failed what I wanted to be, but I never turned to be in streets but rather become a young and inspiring young business owner who owns theMyloje Security Services,” he said.
“I believe in paying decent salaries to my staff whom I treat like family and this is how I serve and give back to the community. I have registered all my guards for social security benefits and offer them a bonus during their birthdays.”
The young man, who still dreams of becoming a doctor, said working as a security guard and studying at the same time is not easy, “but it is worth it.”
Kakoro said his security guard company is still on its growth trajectory and meanwhile uses his parents’ old Isuzu bakkie for some business purposes.
He compliments his parents for his achievements, stating that both of them are business savvy as well. His father is formally unemployed but does construction work while his mother is a Senior Community Liaison Officer at the Kavango East Regional Council.
One of the guards he employs is Jaco Williams, who is a former employee at the Rundu Service Station, who was involved in the “whipping game” in February this year.
Williams resigned after he allegedly accused his former boss for whipping them for a N$600 loan.
“I expressed gratitude for being employed,” he said, describing Kakoro as a young man who has achieved something that many youths find impossible to do as many occupy their time by being at bars, streets and shebeens.
Another guard who chose to remain anonymous said being employed has been a pleasure, stating that it has changed his life for the better as he now can put food on the table and take care of his family.