2014-12-19Staff Report 2 By Obrein Simasiku WINDHOEK- Aili Catering and Training Services’ director Aili Venonya is pleading for land from the Windhoek Municipality arguing that the place where she operates from is too small for the increasing number of enrolled students. Venonya said her organisation operates from Ombili Community Centre where it rents a small-sized room for N$1 000 but the room can no longer accommodate the increasing number of students. “I am therefore pleading with the municipality to avail land where I can operate and to accommodate all the students that enrolled. The country is facing unemployment and now when I am trying to help others I cannot as I have no land to carry out all the duties,” said Venonya. She said since 1994 she had been pushed from pillar to post by the municipality whenever she tried to acquire land which is unoccupied. She specifically pointed to the land next to Ombili Woerman Brock. “Up to now the land is still unoccupied but when I go there they tell me the land is occupied whereas in reality it is not. For how long can we wait?” she asked. City of Windhoek public relations officer, Lydia Amutenya said she could not establish if it was indeed true that Venonya had launched a formal application to acquire land. “People must understand that if there is no formal application the City of Windhoek will not know to what the client is complaining about and sometimes when we as municipality say the land is reserved it means the municipality intend erecting a structure there either a park, play ground or make a road,” said Amutenya. However, Venonya admitted that she did not apply for the and in a formal manner but only went to enquire specifically for the land she believed was still unoccupied. Meanwhile, Venonya said last week, on December 9, a total 45 students graduated. Twenty two received their two year diplomas and 23 received their six month certificates, adding that the centre had trained more than 700 students since inception in 2010. Most of her students, she said were employed mainly by Pick ‘n Pay although she had not received anything in support from Pick ‘n Pay. Venonya said there are no special qualification requirements to enrol for training. All an applicant need have is a good command of English as they would be taught and trained in English. “Students can start applying now until next year 18 January 2015 and it only costs N$300 per application and they can contact me on 081 262 6241,” said Venonya. 2014-12-19Staff Report 2
