YOUNG OBSERVER | Tsumeb mother turns motherhood challenge into growing business

Patience Makwele A Tsumeb-based entrepreneur is proving that some of the best business ideas can come from personal experiences. Jamila Jokomo, a trained psychological counsellor and mother, has transformed her own breastfeeding journey into a growing online business that supports mothers across Namibia while encouraging young women to see challenges as opportunities for innovation. What began as a personal solution during the early stages of motherhood has evolved into a business that now serves customers across the country.

Jokomo said the idea was born shortly after the birth of her firstborn daughter, when she was navigating the realities of exclusive breastfeeding. “I used to make lactation cookies for myself and saw what a huge difference it made in my supply,” she said. After sharing photos of the homemade cookies online, she was surprised by the response from other mothers.

“The response was unbelievable. I started to get orders from all over the country,” she said. The growing demand inspired her to turn the idea into a business focused on supporting breastfeeding mothers through nutrient-rich snacks commonly known as lactation cookies.