21/06/2013
SME Gazette joins business development agency SMEs
Compete and entrepreneurs from all over Namibia in
commemorating Grace Rudolph, owner of Namib
Clothing, Cape Kitchen and Gracie’s Guest House.
Born in South Africa in the lovely city dubbed centuries ago
The Fairest Cape of All by the legendary Sir Francis Drake, Grace
Rudolph decided to pursue a career in nursing. It was married life
that brought her to Namibia where her husband Cyril had secured
employment as part of the team responsible for developing what
was later to become one of the largest uranium mines in the world.
The early years of her stay, in what has become Namibia’s premier
tourist resort, Swakopmund, was confined to raising the couple’s
two lovely daughters. Then she returned to work, initially in an
administrative position at a local service station. However, it was
whilst working for a large local clothing manufacturer that the
entrepreneurial spark was ignited. When an opportunity presented
itself to stage a management buyout, Grace did not hesitate to
jump at the chance.
What followed is history and resulted in the creation of Namib
Clothing, Gracie’s Guest House and Cape Kitchen. Wealth and
jobs have been created with the resultant spin-off for Namibia and
its economy. Additionally in-service training for students from
the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) in
Arandis and from other vocational training institutions around the
country have helped a countless number of young Namibians gain
work skills that in turn positioned them to secure employment.
Some have even gone on to start and grow their own businesses.
In the process of successfully running a garment manufacturing
enterprise, public and private sector customers were served by
Grace Rudolph and her team. Namib Clothing made uniforms
and protective clothing for public sector clients including, but
not restricted to, Namibian Police, Defence Force, Correctional
Services and the Department of Immigration.
Under the dynamic leadership of Grace Rudolph protective garments
are also produced for private sector customers. In this regard the
firm’s customers included Rio Tinto’s Rössing Uranium Mine,
Areva’s Trekkopje Mine, the Namibia Institute of Mining and
Technology (NIMT), Anglo American’s Navachab Mine and South
African retail chain Woolworth. Additionally, she successfully
started and managed an accommodation establishment and a
catering business. Grace was actively involved in her community.
For example, she was chairperson of the Swakopmund branch of
Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
Now operating under the leadership of her daughter, to this very day
Namib Clothing continues serving its large customer base. Natalie
is assisted by a team comprised of skilled garment manufacturers
and supervisors, all trained by that amazing lady, Grace Rudolph.
Grace Rudolph or Amazing Grace as we fondly referred to her
at SMEs Compete, over the years has been recognised as an
amazing talent in the business arena. Awards include overall
winner of EnterPrize and induction into the Junior Achievement
(JA) Namibia Hall of Fame.
It has been an honour, privilege and pleasure working with Grace
Rudolph and she will be sorely missed by all at SMEs Compete
and the business community at large. Her relationship with the
firm goes back to the days the social entrepreneurship entity was
first establishedanddeveloped into a friendship with the firm’s
founders, Claudine Mouton and Danny Meyer. Our sincere
condolences to Cyril and the family.
By Danny Meyer
