Africa-Press – Namibia. The annual Ongwediva Trade Fair concluded on Saturday with exhibitors and vendors expressing deep satisfaction over the week-long trading event that boosted their businesses.
For many, the fair provided a golden opportunity to showcase their products to a wider audience and to make record sales.
Traditional food vendors, beverage sellers and small-scale traders said the fair once again proved to be an economic lifeline.
“This week has been unbelievable. In just a few days, I sold more omahangu porridge than I usually do in a whole month back home,” said Selma Ndeshimona, a traditional food vendor from the Omusati region.
She said customers from all over Namibia came to taste their food.
Ndeshimoma further said that for small traders, the trade fair is a blessing, it really gave them a huge opportunity to trade.
Mathew Haikali, who specialises in selling traditional brews, also expressed satisfaction.
“People love oshikundu and ombike, and here I could serve them fresh every day. I sold out twice in a row. My business grew, and now I have new customers calling me even after the fair,” he said with excitement.
Anna Paulus, who has been attending the fair for the past five years, said this year stood out.
“The demand was high, especially during evenings when families came out to enjoy themselves. We not only sold food but also created networks with suppliers and partners. That is the biggest value of the Ongwediva Trade Fair,” she said.
Meanwhile, beverage vendor Martha Iipinge said she was overwhelmed by the response.
“Cold drinks and bottled water moved very fast. With the heat, people always needed refreshments. I made more in a week than I normally make in three months at the market,” she explained.
Adding to the songs of satisfaction, village brewer Joseph Iitula noted that his products were received beyond expectation.
“Usually, my sales are limited to my village, but here I met clients from Windhoek and Walvis Bay who promised to stock my brew.
Ongwediva Trade Fair gave me a national stage,” he said.
Street vendors also benefited greatly.
Nangula David, who usually sells fat cakes, fried fish and chips from her home in Oshakati, said the trade fair multiplied her sales.
“At home, I make about N$150 a day if I am lucky, but here, during the fair, I made more than N$1 000 daily. This is why we pray for such events, they change our lives,” she said.
At the official closing, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah applauded the role of trade fairs in stimulating growth.
“Through platforms like Ongwediva Trade Fair, our people showcase their innovation and hard work. This is how we grow our economy from the ground up, supporting small businesses and creating opportunities,”she said.
Ongwediva mayor Tarah Shalyefu also highlighted the broader impact on the town.
“The trade fair transforms Ongwediva for a week. Hotels are full, taxis are busy, shops benefit, and our economy feels the difference. It is not only about exhibitors, but the whole town experiences growth,”explained Shalyefu.
As the fair wrapped up, the satisfaction among exhibitors was clear. Ongwediva had once again proven itself not only as a hub of culture and networking, but as a vital engine of economic opportunity for Namibia’s traders, big and small.
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