About WRCT

The History

WRCT is a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company incorporate in 2021 by sight founders. The founders, who are mainly business people in Windhoek Rural so the need for a voice of the business community to advocate for their needs.

After a series of brain storming meeting the founders identified access to capital as one of their biggest hurdles. While is consistently cited as a barrier to entry by entrepreneurs in every location, rural businesses face particular difficulty. The top issues they face when attempting to gain access to funding include:

Poor credit
Lack of collateral
Lack of trusted lenders
High interest rates

Consequently, majority of the rural entrepreneurs use their personal savings to start their businesses.

Small business owners in rural areas also don’t have access to resources that can help them navigate the lending options available to them. While business mentors, small business investors and business support organizations may be prevalent in urban areas, they aren’t as numerous in rural Namibia.

Mission & Purpose

01.

— Our Mission

The mission of the Windhoek Rural Chamber of Trade is to advance the economic vitality and uplift the quality of life of the residents in the rural parts of Windhoek.

02.

— Aims

Instigate economic development in Windhoek Rural
Community development and quality of life upliftment
Liaise with and complement Government efforts of employment creation in Windhoek Rural
Offer membership services to support local businesses

03.

— The objects for which the Chamber is established are:

To serve members’ interests by promoting the economic and social development of Windhoek Rural and thereby creating an environment that will help enhance the prosperity and welfare of its members.
To spearhead efforts to maintain a viable economy by improving the business climate, expanding the business base, and assisting local businesses.
To protect, advance, and assist trade, commerce, professions, business, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of our members.
To encourage civic participation in the enhancement of Windhoek Rural by recognising projects, which help make Windhoek Rural more attractive and improve the social, educational cultural, and commercial life of the city and its environment.
To appear and represent or advocate before any court, council, commission, body corporate, or person in authority, the views or interests of the Chamber concerning or in connection with any matter in anywise affecting or concerning the trade, commerce, manufacturing, or agricultural interests of Windhoek Rural.
To petition, make submissions or representations to the National Council, local authority and the City of Windhoek, and other authorities or government departments or institutions on any matter affecting the trade, business, commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of Windhoek Rural.
To communicate the opinion of the Chamber to members of the National Council and local authority and the City of Windhoek and other authorities or government departments or trade Chambers or institutions and to propose and promote bills or amendments thereof in the interest of trade, business, and commerce, or to propose or oppose such measures which in the opinion of the Chamber are likely to be beneficial or injurious as the case may be to such interests.
To enter into any agreement, establish any trust, or carry on any other business which has as its object the reduction of poverty or mitigation of crime in connection with the promotion of the commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of Windhoek Rural.
To collect, collate, and circulate commercial statistics and information of all kinds.
To enter into agreements with other Chambers of Commerce and bodies for the advancement of trade, business, professions, manufacturing, agriculture, and for the protection of traders, professionals, manufacturers, and producers.

Committees

Chamber Committees are what help organize and grow the Chamber. Committee members plan, negotiate and brain storm new ideas while maintaining traditions found throughout Namibia.

The following are the current committees of WRCT standing Committees

Events Committee

This committee organizes the Chamber’s community planned events. The events committee works to recruit Management Committee members to serve as events committee members. While continually analysing current activities/fundraisers to ensure they benefit the Chamber and the investors, they also recommend new activities, fundraisers and events.
Also, to organise monthly or quarterly professional development opportunities for local businesses or residents to help train and grow themselves and their employees. Lunch & Learns will also provide valuable knowledge about changing laws, new industry standards or simply how to help boost sales and performance in your market area.

Business Improvement Committee

The Business Improvement Committee works to promote commerce in Windhoek Rural. Areas of involvement include special events to attract business to Groot Aub and other populous settlements, initiatives aimed to improve the appearance of areas of commerce in the Groot Aub and programs designed to promote shopping, dining and lodging in Groot Aub.
Further, this committee works to identify and assess business development opportunities, to recommend business development projects to the City of Windhoek that will benefit Windhoek Rural Residents and to conduct research & provide input on business development programs.