Alex Rose-Innes
YOUNG women have truly embraced the green revolution and nowhere more so than in Africa. Applying entrepreneurial skills, vision and talent, they are turning dreams into reality while saving the planet and putting food on the table.
Pauline Alfeus, where others see junk, saw opportunity and as a member of Africa’s true Lionesses Den, not only found Power Six Investment, but created a sustainable product and income for others to benefit from, as well.
Pauline, who hails from Namibia, turned discarded oil drums and other scrap into innovative and aesthetically pleasing furniture. Her products are practical and easy to assemble and transport, especially on Africa’s deteriorating and dangerous roads. The pieces are as colourful as the people of Africa, strong to withstand harsh treatment and of excellent quality.
In a magazine article highlighting the achievements of women, Pauline said she started Power Six Investment as a sustainable way out of poverty and lack of employment in her country. The company is fully youth-owned and its name refers to the six workers who turned recycling into an art. Six qualified boilermakers, of whom three are women, make up this winning team.
To hone her entrepreneurial skills which were noticed even as a young child and her obsession with recycling, Pauline made money running a hair salon while attending a Student Entrepreneurship Programme in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Funding for this programme is obtained from Empratec in Ghana, another ground-breaking African enterprise.
And what does the future hold? The mighty six with their own factory have their marketing plan in place and would sell these unique furniture pieces country-wide and if the market permits, internationally.
Contact Pauline on alfeuspaulina2@gmail.com
Once discarded oil drums, now functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture.
