•  By Patience Makwele

In the heart of Katutura where the streets echo with stories of strength, survival, and hope, 28-year-old Vetamunisa “Vetaa” Hange is quietly crafting a legacy that goes far beyond lashes and lip gloss. 

She is a beauty entrepreneur, assistant teacher, and the founder of Disability My Voice Association (DMVA), an organization dedicated to uplifting youth and individuals living with disabilities through mentorship, training, and skill-building. With this, she stands out as a woman who is not only building a business but a movement rooted in empathy, empowerment, and education.

Growing up, Hange enjoyed watching her sister do makeup and every stroke and layer of foundation her sister took, made her watch in awe. As a result, she became more enthusiastic about learning makeup from her. 
“I used to steal my sister’s nail tools when she was away and try to copy what she did. Eventually, I asked her to teach me and she let me help her when she had too many clients. She even paid me. That made me proud. It made me want to learn more,” Hange recalled.

While studying accounting and finance at Lingua College, Hange turned her curiosity into a side hustle, offering makeup and nail services to classmates. “Earning my own pocket money felt empowering. It gave me the confidence to believe that I could create something for myself and eventually for others,” she added.

But what truly sets her journey apart is the intersection of beauty and advocacy. “I remember teaching a young girl in a wheelchair how to do nails. Three years later, she had her own mobile nail business. That feeling, seeing someone strive because of something you poured into them, is indescribable.”

The feeling of sharing her knowledge with the young woman with a disability and the feeling of watching her turn that knowledge into a business, gave Hange confidence and a feeling of belonging. “Confidence starts at home. It is knowing that life is fragile, so you make the most of it. It is about showing up for yourself and helping others stand tall, even when you feel like you are barely standing,” she said.

Her advocacy is driven by a deep-rooted desire to shift perspectives about disability and opportunities. 
“I want to teach young people, especially those with disabilities how to build something of their own. How to market their skills, find sponsors, and believe that they are worthy of success.”

But like many entrepreneurs, her journey has had its fair share of setbacks. One of her most challenging moments came when N$1,500 worth of salon stock was stolen while she attended a family funeral.
“It was devastating. But I had clients who had already paid deposits, and I did not want to disappoint them. I pushed through.” Navigating the dynamics of running a small business in a tight-knit community like Katutura, also comes with its own pressure.

“In our culture, family and friends often expect special treatment discounts or credit. At first, it was hard to say no, but I had to  learn to set boundaries while staying rooted in love.”
What makes Hange’s approach unique, is her commitment to her community and collaboration over competition. “When a client tells me they are going to a photoshoot, I refer them to a photographer I know. We grow better when we grow together.”

With a clear vision, she believes in creating opportunities for others where none previously existed. Through DMVA and Viure’s Beauty Salon, she dreams of offering workshops, mentorships, and eventually, startup grants to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially youth with disabilities, who often find themselves excluded from traditional opportunities.
Looking ahead, she hopes to build a support network that uplifts and equips not just with beauty tools, but with the mindset and skills.

 “I want to be remembered as someone who brought light into small places. Someone who believed in people when they did not believe in themselves.”

For Hange, being a beautician means the world while being a teacher, a leader, an advocate and a quiet force for change, makes her feel gifted. This is because her story is a reminder that true confidence is not about perfection, it is about purpose.