God has been busy here in Okahandja and we are so glad to be a part of what He is doing here. It has not been with out challenge but He has been our strength. We contine to see His hand at work and recently we have seen an increase in business and we give Him thanks for that too.
One of the reasons for the increase is due to Milton Louw, a local reporter, who by chance, and we know that with God it was not by chance, came in looking for a internet connection. Well he was greeted by the staff and promptly served. Mr. Louw was so impressed that he wrote an article about the Garden Cafe in the paper. Below is a link to the article as well as what he wrote.
Give credit where it’s due
By: Milton Louw
As consumers we tend to complain but it is very rare to hear a consumer share a good service experience (especially in Namibia).
A few weeks ago, while I was still writing on the farm, I had the occasion to visit Okahandja while the farm workers were doing shopping. During my leisurely stroll through town, I had a call asking me to urgently work on some problem via my email. For those of you who have never been to Okahandja, imagine that the local Agra branch still closes for lunch – and you can then imagine how desperate I became thinking where can I get Internet access.
My first thought was Telecom, where I was informed their Internet was not yet working. I almost panicked upon hearing one of the largest Internet providers don’t have working public internet access in the town. Luckily, one of the staff was able to guide me to the Garden Café around the corner that would be able to assist. Wow! I did not know that an oasis of this kind existed anywhere in the country, never mind Okahandja.
Upon entering, I was greeted by friendly staff who informed me that the Internet was free if I was having something to eat. They even provided a laptop that had all the most common software installed and a reasonable speed connection. After my mails were done I had a leisurely lunch and took the time to compliment the owner on the friendly and efficient service of his staff. In turn, he informed me that the Garde Café was in fact a “Youth Discipleship and Programme” that is designed to give youth vocational and skills training through a 12 week programme.
This is what is meant when a company talks about corporate social responsibility. This company truly shows that “Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large”. As consumers, our money is our power and I encourage you to support companies like this who not only provide a service to make money, but also work at improving the quality of life of the community they operate in.
On this note, perhaps the readers should also take time to reconsider their misconceptions of our ‘Garden Town’ and visit the Okahandja Tourism and Trade Expo to be held from 9 to 12 May 2013?
http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=28&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=109346&no_cache=1
