For young farmer Tjamana Muukua, establishing a sustainable livelihood through sheep farming once seemed out of reach. Although he had farmed with a small number of cattle and goats since 2015, the cost of acquiring enough livestock to build a productive flock remained a significant obstacle.

Today, as one of the 48 beneficiaries of the Swakop Uranium Foundation’s Hope Farm Project in the Erongo region, Muukua has been given the opportunity to pursue that ambition.

Muukua lives and farms in Ondjeombaranga, a village in the Otjimbingwe district. Before joining the project, he faced many of the challenges common to emerging farmers in rural communities, including drought, livestock theft, animal diseases and limited access to the financial resources needed to expand.

“I was unable to afford enough livestock to establish a flock that could grow and become a reliable source of income in the future,” he explained.

Through the Hope Farm Project, Muukua received 20 ewes and one ram, enabling him to enter sheep farming for the first time. He also received vaccinations and practical guidance to help him manage and care for the animals.

The journey

His journey, however, has not been without setbacks. Muukua lost most of his initial flock, including the ram, which died just a few weeks after he received it. Several of the remaining sheep also died, limiting the flock’s growth.

His experience reflects the difficult realities of livestock farming under changing climatic conditions, where disease, limited nutrition and harsh weather can quickly undermine a farmer’s progress. It also shows why livestock donations need sustained technical and animal-health support. Despite these losses, Muukua remains determined to rebuild from the animals he still has.

“I remain positive that the animals I have left will multiply as I continue to care for them properly. Every time one of the sheep gives birth to a lamb, I can see the difference the project is making and the potential for my flock to grow,” he said.

The project’s ongoing support has eased some of the financial burden of caring for his sheep. It has also provided practical guidance on livestock management and helped him build the knowledge needed to become a more capable farmer.

Regular monitoring and evaluation visits enable the project team to assess conditions on participating farms and provide advice tailored to each beneficiary’s circumstances. The visits also help identify animal health and management challenges, monitor livestock performance, and collect information for monthly reporting.

Overall, results across the project remain encouraging. By August 2026, the combined herd had reached 1 836 living animals, comprising 921 in the base flock and 915 young. This was approximately 82% higher than the 1 008 animals originally distributed.

Reproduction

During August, 267 births were recorded across the three participating cooperatives, with an 88.8% survival rate among the young animals born during the reporting period.

While these results demonstrate strong growth, they also highlight the need for continued attention to nutrition, neonatal care, disease prevention and the management of pregnant animals.

For Muukua, the project’s value extends beyond livestock. It has renewed his family’s interest in farming and strengthened their belief that agriculture can contribute to a more secure future.

“Our kraal now looks fuller, and we can see the potential for future growth,” he said.

Over the next three to five years, Muukua hopes to develop his sheep-farming activities into a sustainable operation that generates approximately N$75 000 annually. His long-term goal is to earn a living from farming and better support his family.

He also values the project’s revolving model, through which beneficiaries return an agreed number of offspring after the prescribed period. These animals are then allocated to other emerging farmers, allowing the original investment to continue creating opportunities for additional households.

“It is a valuable and sustainable initiative. It means that more households will eventually receive livestock and gain an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. In this way, the project can contribute towards reducing poverty within our communities,” he stated.

The farmer expressed his appreciation to the Swakop Uranium Foundation and its partners for investing in young people and rural livelihoods.

“Because of the Hope Farm Project, I can now venture into sheep farming, support my family and become a valuable member of my community,” he concluded.

Muukua’s journey is one of opportunity, difficulty and determination. While the losses he experienced demonstrate that successful livestock farming requires more than an initial donation, his continued optimism shows what access to productive assets, knowledge and ongoing support can mean for a young farmer working towards economic independence.

About Hope Farm Project

The Hope Farm Project falls under the Swakop Uranium Foundation’s SME development pillar and aims to improve livelihoods through sustainable livestock farming. The Foundation invested N$3 million in the project’s Erongo implementation, through which it distributed 1 008 goats and sheep to 48 beneficiaries.

Each farmer received 20 breeding females and one breeding male, supported by training, veterinary services, livestock-care resources and ongoing technical guidance.

The wider initiative is planned to expand to other regions over 10 years, creating a continuing cycle of farming opportunities, income generation and rural development.

-newsroom@nepc.com.na