About Us
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Our Story
At our core is a bold vision: to cultivate a thriving Namibian agricultural sector led by skilled and empowered agriculturists. We believe that the future of Namibia’s agriculture relies on equipping individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and innovative thinking needed to drive sustainable development and ensure food security.
Our success is strengthened by the support of our biggest partner, Umnga Farmers Group, which has been a cornerstone of agricultural education and entrepreneurship since 1989. Working cohesively with Omumbonde, Umnga shares our commitment to empowering agricultural entrepreneurs and advancing sustainable practices. Together, we pool resources, expertise, and passion to ensure that our vision for a robust Namibian agricultural sector becomes a reality.
Our shared dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship transforms challenges into opportunities, fostering a new generation of agricultural leaders poised to make a lasting impact. We are not just growing crops; we are shaping a sustainable future for Namibia, one step at a time.
Join a community where passion meets purpose, and where the seeds we plant today become the solutions of tomorrow. With partners like Umnga Farmers Group by our side, we are building a brighter and more resilient future for agriculture in Namia.
Letter from the founder:
It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose that I introduce you to the Omumbonde Development Agency Namibia. Our organisation, named after the resilient and enduring Camelthorn tree, is a beacon of hope and progress in the Namibian agricultural sector. We are dedicated to fostering a new generation of skilled agriculturists who will lead our nation towards a future of sustainable growth, economic development, and food security. Agriculture is the backbone of Namibia’s economy and the key to unlocking the potential of our youth. However, we recognise the significant gap that exists between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Our mission is to bridge this gap by establishing an innovative agricultural training academy that provides hands-on learning experiences, equipping our youth with the practical skills and knowledge essential for modern agriculture.
At Omumbonde Development Agency Namibia, we are committed to empowering our youth through education, training, and mentorship. We believe that by nurturing a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, we can transform the agricultural sector and create new opportunities for our young people. Our training programmes are designed to be market demand-driven, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the needs of the agricultural industry and contribute meaningfully to our economy.
Our objectives are ambitious, but we are confident in our ability to achieve them through collaboration and partnerships. We will work closely with government agencies, educational institutions, research organisations, private sector partners, and community stakeholders. Together, we will leverage our resources, share expertise, and create synergies that maximise the impact of our efforts. The establishment of the Omumbonde Agricultural Training Academy is just the first step in our journey. We are dedicated to driving sustainable growth and economic development in Namibia through the agricultural sector. By equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge needed to adopt sustainable farming practices, increase productivity, and add value to agricultural products, we will contribute to our country’s efforts to achieve food security, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities.
I invite you to join us in this transformative journey. Whether as a partner, supporter, or participant in our programmes, your involvement will be instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture in Namibia. Together, we can cultivate a thriving agricultural sector that empowers our youth and drives our nation towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Thank you for your support and belief in our mission.
Sincerely, Johann Stassen
Our Board:
Johann Stassen
Managing Director/Founder
Johann is an Agricultural Economist and commercial farmer with more than 30 years of experience in agricultural training and development. Johann spearheaded i3A’s Online Campus. He is also the driver of this initiative to build the Namibian Agricultural Academy.
Hans Theodore Heinze
Hans is an experienced retired military leader with a strong and proven track record in Leadership Development, training, planning and logistical support. In 2011 Hans established Garcias for Africa, a personal development company specialising in practical and effective leadership programmes for youth and people working in the agricultural sector.
Bernd Rothkegel
Bernd is an Agricultural Economist with over 40 years of experience in Agricultural Development. He led the Planning Department at the Agriculture Ministry, focusing on policy formulation, project conceptualization, and budgeting. Bernd served on boards promoting the Meat and Agronomic Sectors and the Swakara Fur Production Industry. He lectured at Neudamm Agricultural College and mentored farmer study groups. As a consultant, he advised local agri-businesses and worked with the Department for Livestock and Irrigation in Afghanistan.
Ruaan Smith
Ruaan is a Senior Executive with an MBA and extensive finance and operations management experience in start-ups and public companies. He is recognized for his commercial insight and effective ROI-driven strategies. Ruaan translates organizational challenges into actionable plans, achieving turnaround and growth that exceed expectations. As an early adopter of cryptocurrencies, he demonstrates innovative problem-solving skills and a strong record of generating above-average investment returns.
Beata Xulu
Beata Xulu is a seasoned development economist focusing on agricultural policy and governance, with over 28 years of experience across executive and consulting roles in Namibia’s agricultural sector. She has a master’s in Agricultural Development Economics from the University of Reading and is pursuing a Global MBA. Her roles include specialist positions at Namibia’s Livestock and Livestock Products Board and significant leadership experience as Executive Director at the Namibia National Farmers Union. Beata’s expertise spans strategy development, policy implementation, performance management, and stakeholder engagement across governmental and civil society sectors.
Paul van der Merwe
Paul is an experienced Agriculturalist with an MSc and over 40 years in agricultural training, curriculum development, and livestock quality assurance. As head of Neudamm Agricultural College, he served on the Board of NUCA, which was set to transfer Diploma Training from the Ministry of Agriculture to UNAM. He edited research publications like “The Spotlight on Agriculture” and “Agricola” and participated in various committees, including the Industry Skills Committee of NTA and the Namibia Stud Breeders Association establishment committee.
Roberth Simon
Roberth Simon is an experienced Trade & Investment Policy Manager at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, where he supports business development through accurate regulatory guidance and policy research on investment incentives, special economic zones, and export promotion schemes. With over a decade of expertise in trade and economic policy, he has held key roles, including Acting CEO at Namibia Trade Forum, and contributed to strategic initiatives in fiscal policy and trade facilitation. His academic background in economics and his publication on the causal relationship between commodity exports and Namibia’s economic growth underscore his strong analytical and research skills.