Wednesday, 25 October 2017 proved an eventful one for Indongo Toyota, with two more dealerships in Otjiwarongo and Ongwediva respectively officially opening under the Frans Indongo Group (FIG) umbrella. With existing dealerships in Walvis Bay, Windhoek and Okahandja, this brings the total number of Indongo Toyota branches in Namibia to five.
VIPs at the Indongo Toyota Ongwediva Launch: Hans Steinkopf, Dealer Principal at Indongo Toyota in Windhoek, Mr Silvanus Kathindi, Chairperson of the Indongo Toyota board, Mr Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President, Toyota South Africa, Dr Frans Aupa Indongo, Founding Father of Frans Indongo Group, Tati Kamule, Dealer Principal Indongo Toyota Ongwediva branch, Ms Beatha Indongo and Mr Kobus van Graan, CEO of Frans Indongo Group
The first grand opening took place on Wednesday evening in Otjiwarongo. After acquiring this dealership in September 2016, FIG performed extensive upgrades and renovations to the branch. Now, clients stand to benefit from a first class showroom, workshop and parts outlet.
The founding father of FIG, 81-year-old Dr Frans Aupa Indongo, who resides on a farm just outside Otjiwarongo, was but one of the well-known faces to attend the dealership’s official opening. His daughter, Ms Maria Magdalena Indongo-Nepaya, delivered an address in both Oshiwambo and English on her father’s behalf.
“It gives me particular pleasure to invest further in Otjiwarongo, the town that has become my home during the past two decades,” she read on Dr Indongo’s words to the guests. “It is my deepest wish to demonstrate that it is possible to build and leave behind sustainable businesses that will, in the interest of the Namibian nation, last and prosper beyond the lives of individuals. It is my dream to prove that continuous wealth and employment can continue and will not be destroyed once the founder of successful businesses moves on.”
The Governor of the Otjozondjupa Region, the Honourable Otto Ipinge, delivered the keynote address. “Tonight we are very delighted to witness the rolling out of the very popular national brand, Indongo Toyota, to our region and to our growth hub, Otjiwarongo. This is another demonstration of business expansion, which is necessary to stimulate the local economic growth.”
The Governor highlighted that the opening of the Indongo Toyota branch in Otjiwarongo created 27 new jobs and that the number was expected to increase as the business grows and expands. “This investment,” he held, “brings hope and prosperity to our region. Bringing your leading Indongo Toyota brand offers long term growth, sustainable employment and taxable profitability.”
Turning to the FIG founding father, Dr Indongo, the Governor concluded, “As the name of Otjiwarongo suggests “Pleasant Place,” we wish you a “pleasant business.” It is indeed our wish that Indongo Toyota Otjiwarongo will enjoy lasting and growing success. Thank you sincerely for considering our region as an attractive investment haven.”
Dr Indongo and the Governor then proceeded to cut the ribbon and unveil the official inauguration plaque.
On the Thursday evening, the festivities moved further north, as FIG celebrated the official launch of its fifth dealership in Ongwediva. Indongo Toyota’s brand new, state-of-the-art and fully fledged showroom, workshop and parts outlet opened its doors to the public earlier this year and have already secured a track record of unsurpassed excellence and client satisfaction over the past five months.
The Senior Vice President of Toyota South Africa, Mr Calvyn Hamman, expressed his sincere pleasure at being invited and being present at the opening of this Toyota dealership in the north, serving the people of the north and owned by a northern-born Namibian. He added that as an expert in automotive dealerships around the globe, he rated Indongo Toyota Ongwediva as a top world class facility indeed. Mr Hamman concluded by challenging the management of the dealership to ensure that the dealership is developed into the “Best Business in Town”.
Dr Indongo once again attended the event, with Mr Kobus van Graan, Chief Executive Officer of FIG, delivering his address in English, and his daughter, Hileni Indongo, giving the Oshiwambo version.
“Tonight we officially open the fifth Indongo Toyota dealership here in Ongwediva. I do not think that any of you can comprehend what the opening of this new Toyota dealership means to me. It is indeed a great great day for me… because this business is being established in the sand where I grew up.”
“Not far from here I started my first steps, many years ago. This is where I played as a child and where I visualised to become a businessman in order to break the chains of poverty. Yes, and it is also not far from here where I made my first investment as a very young entrepreneur. While witnessing this impressive dealership today, it gives me a lot of comfort about my life’s dream.”
Dr Indongo once again attended the event, with Mr Kobus van Graan, Chief Executive Officer of FIG, delivering his address in English, and his daughter, Hileni Indongo, giving the Oshiwambo version.
“Tonight we officially open the fifth Indongo Toyota dealership here in Ongwediva. I do not think that any of you can comprehend what the opening of this new Toyota dealership means to me. It is indeed a great great day for me… because this business is being established in the sand where I grew up.”
“Not far from here I started my first steps, many years ago. This is where I played as a child and where I visualised to become a businessman in order to break the chains of poverty. Yes, and it is also not far from here where I made my first investment as a very young entrepreneur. While witnessing this impressive dealership today, it gives me a lot of comfort about my life’s dream.”
Dr Indongo’s words were followed by the keynote address of the Honourable Clemens H. Kashuupulwa, Governor of the Oshana Region. Hailing the FIG investment as “a fresh stream in the desert,” the Governor told the Group, “We admire your courage, vision and resilience to continue with significant investments while the economic growth is slow and others wait for better times. This investment brings hope and prosperity to Oshana Region for it is a green fields and a brand new investment.”
The Governor indicated that he was aware than the dealership had created an initial 30 new jobs and called for an investment of N$45 million, excluding the costs of the land and operational informed that the Frans Indongo Group expects the business activities to increase steadily as it has been developed in a way to accommodate higher throughput and higher employment figures,” he added “You would recognise that these facilities are indeed state of the art. I am told that the standard of this Toyota dealership has no match in Namibia and is on par with a few car dealers of the very best in Southern Africa.”
Dr Frans Aupa Indongo and Honourable Clemens H. Kashuupulwa, Governor of the Oshana Region, unveiling the plaque at Indongo Toyota Ongwediva.
The Governor also had a special word of thanks for Dr Indongo for his continuous investment loyalty to the north of Namibia throughout his career. “You did not only invest here when you started in business. You continued to do so until today. As a result of that you created employment opportunities for many and helped to develop this part of Namibia to become what it is today.
In my opening statement I mentioned that this is a “landmark investment”, but isn’t it indeed a new landmark for Ongwediva? This investment has changed the skyline of Ongwediva. Situated at the entrance gates of Ongwediva, it will certainly become a monument for the Frans Indongo Group and its Founder, which underlines their progressive entrepreneurship.”
Dr Indongo and the Governor then proceeded to cut the ribbon and unveil the official inauguration plaque.
