ONGWEDIVA – Thousands of people are braving the blistering heat of the north and continue to flock to the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), which has been on hold for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
OATF offers a variety of interesting products for show-goers, including traditional foods, toys and games for children, clothes for both men and women, the rich and the not-so-rich, old and young, jewellery for all ages, banking services, entertainment, and many others.
Since the trade fair started earlier this week, thousands of people have continuously flocked to the showgrounds.
Those who have seen the show grow since its inception 20 years ago feel a lot of effort has been put into this year’s show to meet the expectations of show-goers as well as traders and exhibitors.
Most of the exhibitors who brought their products for sale have been here time and again over the years and are people who usually reserve their current stands after the show has ended.
The trade fair has also brought temporary employment for hundreds of people who clean the facilities, a hundred guards and people who assist with selling products at several stands.
As such, locals have an added advantage because they speak the local language and can communicate with a wider market.
Meanwhile, regular attractions, such as the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) tent, where most if not all traditional foods and beverages are being sold, and the entertainment area, where the food and alcoholic drinks have been housed, have attracted hordes of people so far.
One of the vendors, Selma Shikutu, was so happy after receiving the news that the trade fair is back.
“The annual trade fair has made great strides as a viable platform for the promotion of investment opportunities, trade, and marketing of services and products,’’ she said.
Shikutu added the fair has also exposed business people to wider markets, new technologies and modern methods of production.
Another vendor, Paulina Andreas, said the fair has become renowned for its traditional cuisine and food, which demonstrates traditional and cultural norms.
“This year’s show is much better, compared to that of previous in terms of the number of people visiting their stands,” she said.
Most of the vendors interviewed by New Era were thankful, saying customers are flocking in, and they are pleading with the Ongwediva Town Council to extend the number of days of the fair to at least full two weeks.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na