Festus Hamalwa
Paulus Shiku
Informal traders, who were afforded business space at the Public Enterprises CEO’s Forum and Sports Games, have made good profits at the three-day event in Rietfontein.
The annual event, which this year took place in the Otjozondjupa region, will next take place in Oshakati, Oshana region.
It has attracted 45 informal traders from across the country.
The sports activities had over 33 parastatals participating in basketball, football, netball, volleyball and darts.
Local prominent artists PDK, Tate Buti and Ethnix, as well as upcoming musicians from mostly Grootfontein, entertained the crowd with electrifying performances with every member of the audience dancing and singing along.
Informal traders who spoke to New Era said this was the best opportunity for them to make money.
Moses Herman (26) said he travelled from Windhoek to offer kapana to the participants.
“I am grateful for these sport activities because we have received more customers,” he added.
Herman said he made about N$4 000 per day, walking away with an approximate profit of N$12 000.
“Kapana changed my life and also improved the living conditions of my family. I support my siblings and my parents with the money I generate from kapana,” he said.
Herman described kapana as one of the easiest businesses to run.
The meat seller urged his fellow youth to start selling kapana so that they earn money, instead of waiting for the government to provide them with jobs.
“I am always available to give guidance to the youth who are willing to start a kapana business,” he added.
Secilia Nakathingo (48) from Eloolo village in the Oshana region expressed her gratitude for having such a rare opportunity.
“I wish this could be happening at least twice a year. It is such a great opportunity for us,” she said.
Nakathingo also sells kapana and other traditional food.
She indicated that she is going to pay for her daughter’s rent, who is studying at Unam.
Nakathingo added that she looks forward to taking part in the next sport games activities.
Also speaking to this publication after the games, National Youth Service’s (NYS) commissioner Felix Musukubili described this year’s event as the most successful.
“I am very impressed by the huge number of people who turned up to grace our event,” he stated.
Musukubili said NYS had an opportunity to sell its agricultural products, such as onions, tomatoes and cabbage.
“The money we generated from this memorable sport event is going to be used to renovate the hostel, especially the bathroom facilities,” said Musukubili.
He added the sport activities generated extra money for the Rietfontein NYS centre.
Selma Kenneth (37) from Grootfontein said these sports activities gave them a chance to generate extra income.
“I wish this happens every year in our region. It was indeed a very successful event because we managed to make more money,” she added.
Kenneth said the event has also boosted business in terms of income at Grootfontein because some people booked accommodation in the town.
In her statement to open the event, Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Agnes Tjongarero encouraged youth to consider enrolling themselves with NYS to benefit from their educational programmes.
“This centre is where the youth are turned into productive citizens through the various programmes offered by the NYS,” she said.
Tjongarero said the centre is a government intervention that is mandated to inculcate discipline, loyalty, commitment and national pride in young people.
“The service plays an important role in the country and helps transform the youth to be of good character,” she added.