Home-cooked meals help family business survive tough economy

Robby Chiwambu left his job in 2012 to start his own business, hoping it would support his family and create jobs.

Fourteen years later, the founder of The Royal Kitchen and Take Away remains in business despite the Covid-19 pandemic, rising costs and fewer customers in Windhoek’s central business district.

The restaurant serves home-cooked meals, takeaway food and cakes and employs six people.

“I wanted to work for myself, so I decided to start my own business,” Chiwambu said.

Before opening The Royal Kitchen, Chiwambu spent years in Namibia’s hospitality industry, where he earned a reputation as a chef. Throughout his career, he also prepared meals for several of Namibia’s former Presidents. He cooked for the late founding father Sam Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba and the late Hage Geingob, an experience he says helped shape his passion for quality food and service.

The business began by providing catering services to government offices, companies and private clients, before opening its takeaway restaurant on Independence Avenue in 2015.

The business was growing until the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

“When Covid came, everything slowed down. Business almost stopped completely,” he said.