Denifilinde Kefas: Retrenched cleaner stitches new life as tailor

Staff Reporter WHEN Denifilinde Shaamwatala Kefas was retrenched during the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to her home village of Oshitalamesho in the Ogongo Constituency, Omusati Region, not knowing what to do next. That was how her story of pain, perseverance, faith and victory started. Kefas, who had been employed as a cleaner since 2011, left her job in March 2020, walking straight into a storm she never saw coming.

“Life was going well, and I was happy to have a job and support my family,” said Kefas, now in her early 40s. “After losing my job, many things changed drastically. Some family members began to treat me differently.

It was painful and confusing,” she said. PICTURED: Denifilinde Kefas with bags she created. PICTURED: Denifilinde Kefas at a trade fair in Botswana.