About us
About us
An independent Namibian non-profit organisation
Omba has made a measurable difference to the lives of hundreds of Namibians over the course of more than 30 years – artisans, artists, and their families.
Omba Arts’ roots go back to the early 1990s when founding director, Karin le Roux, started travelling to rural communities around Namibia, researching the development of the local craft sector and providing training, whilst planting the seeds of relationships and networks that still remain strong today. These early years laid the foundation for the independent Namibian support organisation that was to become Omba Arts Trust in 2004.
Impacts
Omba has grown into being not only a vehicle for delivering operational support to the rural artisans in its fold and giving them an entry point into global markets, but also a conduit for delivering opportunities to further improve their sense of agency and well-being.
Omba supports more than 450 artisans and artists from nine regions, most of whom are women and many of whom are San**.
**‘San’ is a collective name for the indigenous hunter-gatherer groups that are considered among the first nations of southern Africa.
Fair Trade ethos
We unequivocally subscribe to the fair-trade practices of building trusting relationships, skills development, promoting resilience, and addressing environmental concerns.
People need People
We regularly collaborate and combine our mutual resources with key non-governmental organisations in Namibia to implement projects.
Please take time to have a look at our fund-raising video from 2020 – it will give you an idea of how we work and our impacts.
KARIN LE ROUX
Our Team
Karin le Roux
Karin le Roux, founding Director: With an art degree and unstoppable passion for nurturing the skills of rural artisans, Karin has helped showcase and market the work of hundreds of rural Namibians locally and internationally. In 2019, Karin received the Embassy of Finland’s Han award for promoting equality and inclusivity in Namibian society.
Saar Maritz
Saar Maritz has a jewellery design degree and has been with Omba since 2003. She is engaged in improving existing products, prototyping, developing new products and costing and merchandising.
Silvia Tjiueza
Silvia Tjiueza joined Omba in 2011 as stores manager. She is our main supplier liaison and manages all the tasks around procurement. She loves the opportunity to contribute to society and learn new skills.
Roswidis ‘Rosi’ Uushona
Roswidis ‘Rosi’ Uushona was born in northern Namibia and attended high school in Windhoek before joining Omba in 2016 as our retail sales assistant. Rosi loves meeting customers from different nationalities and backgrounds at our shop in the Namibia Crafts Centre.
Antje Goethje
Antje Goethje joined Omba Arts in 2014 as bookkeeper, ensuring we keep accountable to our artisans, artists and donors. She has enjoyed seeing the difference we make in the lives of the artisans and employees through the opportunities we offer. She describes the many facets of Omba’s operation as ‘challenging but never boring.’
Benson Kuzai
Benson Kuzai started working with us as an intern during his high school years and has now joined us on a part-time basis after completing his qualifications in IT. He assists with customer services.