Africa-Press – Namibia. In a town where most young people are struggling to find jobs, Joseph Katjiri chose to carve a different path for himself.
He is not only building a business but also creating opportunities for others.
Driven by his enthusiasm to solve problems in his community, Katjiri said his journey began with a simple observation.
While growing up Kavango East capital, Rundu, he realised that many homes, shops and even institutions were constantly battling pests such as cockroaches, rats and termites.
“I wasn’t just looking for opportunities, but I wanted to create them around my community. This is a huge problem the town had been dealing with for the past two decades. And after realising how much that was causing damages in homes and institutions, I decided to explore that part and create solutions,” he said.
At a very tender age, his desire for entrepreneurship pushed him to search for solutions.
He identified a gap in the local market for reliable, professional and trustworthy pest management services.
He committed himself to learning the trade.
Katjiri took time to study pest control methods, safety standards and customer service, believing that, with proper training, discipline and dedication, he could build a sustainable business.
However, the start was not a walk in a park. Limited funding was one of the biggest hurdles he faced while coming up.
With little capital, acquiring quality equipment, approved chemicals and protective gear proved challenging.
The nature of pest control also meant that safety could not be compromised.
“I then realised that, despite all the damage the termites and cockroaches had done to many households, the community or town didn’t have a lasting solution for the problem. Then that made me open a pest control company to just deal with the endless problem for once,” he said. Not only was that a huge problem, but trust amongst potential customers was much of a problem.
Convincing clients to allow chemicals into their homes, businesses and institutions required patience and consistency.
“People were hesitant at first. Pest control is a sensitive service, especially where health and safety are concerned,” he added.
Through educating clients, complying with environmental health requirements and delivering consistent results, Joseph Pest Control gradually built its reputation.
Word of mouth became its strongest marketing tool, with satisfied clients recommending the service to others.
Today, the business employs five young men, a decision the founder says was intentional.
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