Startup Story

Beatha Shitemba is the Founder and CEO of Nel's Babies & Kiddies in Namibia. She is a seasoned entrepreneur and award-winning business leader. Beatha's business is focused on manufacturing and providing high quality, affordable baby and kids products to the international and pan-African market. She founded the business in 2017 and now employs 3 people, all of them women from local communities. She has over 17 years of working experience in the financial industry as a former Risk & Compliance Manager.

Lionesses of Africa spoke to founder Beatha Shitemba about how she has taken her passion and turned it into a successful, growing business.

What does your company do?

We manufacture and provide high quality, affordable baby and kids products to the international and pan-African market.

What inspired you to start your company?

My love for children and being a mom translated into a sustainable business. I had enjoyed every step of my journey to becoming a mom and still enjoy being mom to this day. This changed the course of my life forever. I also believe that children deserve the best of what their parents can provide, in terms of basic needs, exposure, education and love.

“My love for children and being a mom translated into a sustainable business.”

“Taking into consideration the growing middle class and urbanisation, our products are made for an urban and conscious parent.”

What makes your business, service or product special?

The products we manufacture are unique and innovative. Taking into consideration the growing middle class and urbanization, our products are made for an urban and conscious parent.

Tell us a little about your team

Our team comprises of independent young women and thinkers. Young women who are passionate, can lead, take initiative, independently achieve their goals and take accountability for the role they play in the company.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I do not come from an entrepreneurial background, however I do come from a family of hard workers. My father who is an inspiration and someone whom I have always looked up to, was very hard working. He ensured we lacked nothing and always had his family’s best interest at heart. His love for my mom and his kids was unmatched. When we came from Angola, we had nothing - no home, food and clothing, but my dad tirelessly worked hard to provide the best for us. So i'm kind of doing the same for my family too. In addition, being the first born, I have always felt that my siblings needed a good example to show them how to be independently successful.

“Young women who are passionate, can lead, take initiative, independently achieve their goals and take accountability for the role they play in the company.”

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

2022 started off on a good note. We opened two shops, one shop is in Auas Valley Shopping Mall, and we have a factory shop on Independence Avenue. In South Africa, we sell our products via Takealot. I believe this footprint can only grow the business going forward. At the moment we are also in search of businesses and partners we can collaborate with to enlarge this footprint.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Making my own money and being flexible to be there for my family. This has been my dream over the past five years and it feels good to finally live this dream!

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

You will never be ready if you don't take that step now. Always live your life in the now.

Contact or follow Nel's Babies & Kiddies

Why LoA loves it…

To succeed in business, you need a combination of vision, hard work, tenacity and persistence, and Beatha Shitemba has all of those qualities in large order. Her business has grown over the years because of her belief in herself as an entrepreneur, her vision, and the business and brand she is building. Not only is she an inspiration to other members of her family, but also to all women entrepreneurs who regardless of their challenges, achieve success and inspire others. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa