Text and Photos : Niseth van der Meulen
The women of the Penduka Wake Up group offer spectacular crafts on their premises. Their crafts shop, restaurant, and accommodation facilities are idyllically situated at the Goreangab Dam in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
Penduka means “Wake-up” in the Oshiwambo and Herero languages. It is an initiative by women from Katutura and combines a flourishing number of small local enterprises, from a craft shop to accommodation. Penduka was established in 1992 and aims to assist women from all over the country to create their own jobs, and build on skills they already have. A priority is given to disabled women.
When you arrive at their main office at the Goreangab Dam in Katatura, Windhoek, the first thing that strikes you is the peaceful but productive atmosphere. Here are 27 women and 3 men from all different cultures and backgrounds that work together to make the most stunning artefacts. Immediately you feel welcome and at ease.
The perfect way to start your visit is to first enjoy a refreshing drink, with or without something to eat, at their restaurant overlooking the lake. In the meantime the bar lady, Magda, can tell you more about the project and the history or you can just enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Once you entered the workshop an exciting buzz of activity overcomes you. Crafts range from pottery to needlework and you can get to know more about the techniques used by looking at how the ladies work. They are also more then willing to further explain their different styles and working processes. In the attached crafts shop you can buy your personal favourite to take home or give away.
As the quality and material used are of the highest standards, several hotels and restaurants in Windhoek use Penduka products, an example being the Zoo Café, situated in the middle of the Zoo Park in Central Windoek. Penduka products are also being exported to Europe and sold in shops there.
Next to crafts and a restaurant, Penduka also offers accommodation in the form of rondavels. These are round huts with all the necessary luxuries and on-suite bathroom facilities. The little colourful rondavels are build at the shores of the lake offering you a stunning view.
If you can spare one day more and spend 2 nights at Penduka, you can partake in several activities such as a township tour through Katatura Township or a day trip to the Daan Viljoen Game Park.
Location
To get to Penduka you follow Independence Avenue from Windhoek Central through Katutura, cross Otjimuise Road and continue into Eveline Street past Queen Supermarket. You turn left into Green Mountain Dam Road and left again at the Penduka sign. Follow the signs to the buildings at Goreangab Dam. Penduka is accessible to any type of car.
Contact
Penduka Crafts
P.O. Box 7635, Katutura, Windhoek
Tel : +264 (0)61-257210
Email : penduka@namibinet.com
Language : English and Afrikaans
Cultural Information
Penduka Wake Up is characterised by the variety of local cultural groups represented under the ladies working there.
To name a few :
1.The Herero people are from origin a cattle farming community. They are mostly situated in the North West (the Himba people have Herero Roots) and in the East. In the early 1900’s the Herero’s had terrible clashes with the German Colonialists, which almost wiped out the tribe. In August every year, the Herero people hold the Maharero Day festival in Okahandja, where paramilitary organisations parade before their leaders. The females wear the traditional Victorian dresses of several layers of skirts and a traditional headwear of fabric that is rolled on the head vertically.
2. Another group is the Nama people, who are the only true descendants of the Khoikhoi in Namibia. The Nama people have much in common with the Bushmen and from origin they are also a nomadic tribe. Although they now live in fixed housing structures and adopted a Western Way of life they are still very proud of their culture and history. Several Nama cultural groups that perform singing and dancing of traditional music exist as they have a natural talent for music, poetry and prose. Their language is full of distinctive clicks, another link to the Bushmen. Their clothing is characterised by patch worked skirts and headwear. It is a very colourful people, both in history and traditions.
These are just a short description of two Namibian people, you will get the opportunity to meet many more and learn more about them at Penduka wake Up !
Range of activities and services provided
Target : families, groups, individuals
Recommended seasons : all year round
Types of tours : vary from hourly visits to 2 day tours including accommodation
Short description of the services offered,
Crafts : wide variety of very high standards craft
Restaurant : food and drinks
Accommodation : Rondavels, round traditional huts with en-suite bathrooms
Other services : Day trips to Katatura town ship, Game Parks, City Tours
Recommended tour
Name of the facility : Crafts Cooperation Penduka wake up
Discover how Namibian women combine their skills and knowledge in producing beautiful crafts. Situated at the shores of a big dam, it is the perfect spot to linger around for a day, chat to the local people, eat in the restaurant and just relax in the peaceful atmosphere.
Description of the organisation in charge of the community project
The women association : Penduka Wake Up
Penduka Wake-Up is established as a Welfare Organisation and a Trust. Penduka is a development project for women in Namibia and has since 1992 assisted over 850 women from 17 different cultural groups. They offer skills training to enable the women afterwards to obtain an income. Women either produce at Penduka or obtain the material from Penduka and produce from home. Penduka does the central marketing for all these groups that can not sell the products on the local market. Upgrading training courses take place on a regular base according to the needs of the specific groups.
A board of trustees oversees the organisation and they guide and give advice to the project where needed. The activities of Penduka include : on the job training, including training for trainers courses to create a snowball effect. They also give training or hold workshops about issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, nutrition, and language courses.