The Legare Stadium in Gobabis is to be turned into a bee-hive of activity this month when hundreds of exhibitors and spectators descend on the town in what promises to be the biggest and best ever Omaheke Trade Fair (OTF) in “Cattle Country”.
Windhoek
Head of Marketing for the Omaheke Trade Fair, Levi Katire, told Farmers Forum that the fourth edition of the popular event will prove to be the biggest and leading local economic boosting platform through trade, networking and exhibition of products, services and talent. “Attendants are in for the surprise of their lives this year,” says Katire. “We as organisers have gone flat-out to make sure we entertain attendants on the highest level for almost the whole of September,” he says. The fair begins this Friday and the curtain will come down on September 26 with a big bang during the Big Bash Music Festival.
To whet the appetites, Miss OTF was already hosted last weekend in the Epako Hall and is to be followed by another highlight on Friday at the Kalahari Convention Centre with a gala dinner and a performance by Big Ben. “This year, we will entertain guests at the dinner with traditional buffet dishes from the various cultures in Namibia. Our team of chefs have gone all-out to make sure we cater for all the needs of the different cultures, and guests will be able to order whatever their hearts desire,” Katire promises.
He is also very excited about the sponsorship of N$50 000 from Standard Bank as main sponsor for the upgrade of livestock facilities at the show grounds for the duration of the trade fair. “Great improvements will be ready for livestock to ensure exhibitors’ animals are kept in the safest and best environment possible for the duration of the show. Members of the organising group for the OTF attended last week’s annual Okakarara Trade Fair where they promoted the OTF and invited communal farmers to exhibit their livestock at the OTF. “We expect a huge variety of livestock from the usual and well-known farmers, as well as newcomers to help make this also the best rendition of the livestock sector of the fair,” adds an excited Katire.
The OTF has proven its popularity beyond doubt in the past three years and the event shows growth every year. At the time of going to print the organisers were still negotiating with various ministers for officiating at the opening ceremony. Katire says the honour will most probably be bestowed on Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), John Mutorwa.
He says the OTF was built on a unique foundation that represents the true spirit of the communal farmer and entrepreneurial skills of small-scale business people and also leave the door open for well-established businesses to participate in and expand the event. Therefore, a huge variety of mixed business opportunities will be available at the fair. To this extent, a SME Summit is included in this year’s programme.
The rest of the programme for the OTF is:
OTF Soccer & Netball Cup – September 12-13 12-13 @ Legare – N$20.
Horse Racing – September 19 @ Gobabis Turf – N$40,
Battle of the Choirs – September 19@ Nossobville – N$15,
SME Summit – September 2323@ Legare V.I.P Tent – by Invite,
Trade, Exhibition, Cultural Village, Kids Entertainment, Traditional Food Outlets (Kapanas), Beer Tent, Livestock Show, Local Artist September 22 – 25
Talent Show – September 25 @ Legare,
MUSIC BASH – September 26 @ Legare – N$40 with a performance by Ongoro nOmundu, One Blood, Kalux and local artists to be announced.
Another first for this year’s OTF is that tickets can be bought online at CompuTicket and tickets are also available @ Shoprite, Checkers, OK Grocers or ONLINE at (http://online.computicket.com/…/omaheke…/951385168/474600481)
For more information, call +264817177757