While Ramatex is threatening to shut shop and withdraw from Namibia, Arandis is a beehive of activities as Dantago Clothing there is expanding its garment production. Even better, they won an order from Pick ‘n Pay for children’s clothes! Dantago Clothing, founded and owned by husband-and-wife team Colin and Belinda Williams, recently secured an export order from Pick ‘n Pay in RSA to produce kiddie’s garments, allowing the small factory to run at full capacity until November. Says Colin Williams: "We are ready to expand our workforce beyond the 78 employees so we can quickly gear-up and take on more work".

The Pick ‘n Pay order is a first for Dantago Clothing. It has in the past produced for Foschini and Pep Stores. Recently it moved up-market, securing its first order from the Woolworth group. Pick ‘n Pay supplies the fabric and patterns but the manufacturer makes the garment, supplying labour, trimmings and packaging.

Local consultancy firm SMEs Compete that focuses on helping Namibia’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector grow business and create employment, has long advocated a niche market approach for local producers of garments. Danny Meyer a director of SMEs Compete says, "It is naïve to believe that local producers of clothing can compete head-on, with manufacturers from the Far East and from South East Asia". He referred to the successes of various small firms in Namibia manufacturing school uniforms, track suites and sports wear, uniforms for medical personnel and protective garments.

Collin and Belinda Williams hail from Cape Town but relocated to Namibia in 1996 when they were both recruited to work for a t-shirt manufacturer in Arandis. The firm went bust but the married couple identified a business opportunity, selected to remain in the country, and started Dantago Clothing. 

Colin Williams (L), owner of Dantago Clothing at Arandis - the company won a terndor to produce garments for Pick ‘n Pay. Photo: Contributed