Welder invents marula nut-crushing machine

Welder and inventor Wilhelm Wilbard has developed a marula nut-crushing machine aimed at improving productivity in rural communities, with around 200 units already supplied to local entrepreneurs this year.

Wilbard says the invention was inspired by challenges faced by communities in northern Namibia.

“When I began my journey in 2015, I conducted research in surrounding communities to understand their needs. Many elders suggested a machine for crushing marula nuts,” he explained.

He described the manufacturing process as efficient and said his services extend beyond production, as he also trains customers on how to operate the machines.

“Using this machine significantly speeds up the process compared to traditional hand-crushing methods. When producing marula oil, efficiency is crucial, as the slow pace of hand-crushing can hinder productivity,” he said.

Wilbard told the AgriMonitor that he currently employs three permanent workers and hopes to expand his workforce in future. However, he said, limited access to equipment remains a major challenge.

“In the welding industry, we face a shortage of equipment. If we had more machinery, we could produce a greater variety of items. With my skills as a welder, I can create almost anything my customers request, but without sufficient machinery, I am limited,” he said.

Adopting new tech

He added that some villagers still rely on traditional hand-crushing methods and believes greater awareness is needed to encourage communities to adopt the new technology.

Meanwhile, the Eundafano Women’s Cooperative, established by Namibia’s founding president Sam Nujoma, says about 3 000 women have benefited from the marula nut-crushing machines.

The Rössing Foundation sponsored 200 machines for the cooperative.

Eundafano is a women’s cooperative where members gather to crush marula nuts to extract kernels and produce marula oil for commercial purposes.

Albertina Shipepe, vice-chairperson of the cooperative in Okahao in the Omusati Region, said the machines are considerably faster than manual methods.

“Using the machine, one can crush enough marula nuts to fill two 20-litre buckets in a single day. In contrast, the traditional method is so slow that it is nearly impossible to fill even one bucket. I encourage those still using traditional methods to switch to modern technology,” Shipepe said.

Speaking about the demand for marula oil, she expressed optimism about the market.

“The market is thriving. There is hardly a day that goes by without a customer placing an order,” she said.

Another entrepreneur involved in the initiative also praised the machine for its efficiency and ease of use.

“You can operate it while seated, which is far more comfortable than sitting on the ground for long periods. It also reduces the risk of injury compared to traditional hand-crushing methods,” she added.