Keetmanshoop
The annual Keetmanshoop Agricultural and Industrial show officially got underway on Wednesday, attracting more exhibitors than the show did on its first day last year.
President of the show society Bennie Diergaardt says overall he is happy the show has managed to attract more than 200 exhibitors. He is also impressed by the increase in the number of government ministries at this year’s show, saying it is important for the public to familiarise themselves with the work of the ministries and get relevant important information.
Diergaardt further said the public can expect a fun-filled show, with entertainment for both young and old, including jumping castles and other games for the children and musical shows for the adults, and called on the public to turn up in large numbers. “All we want now is for the public to come, because without their presence this will all be a waste,” he said.
The highlight of this year’s show will be the business seminar, which is aimed at highlighting economic opportunities in the region. One of the exhibitors New Era spoke to said he also expects sales to be low compared to the previous years. Neplin Investment owner Elvis Dube, who has been exhibiting at the show for seven years in a row, says the public turnout has been slow so far, adding that he expects it to get better although it will not be as in past years.
Dube indicated that he had anticipated a low turnout, as it was also the case at trade fairs he had exhibited at this year, a situation he says might be caused by the economic downturn. “The turnout is very low. People are supporting it, but not as they used to in the past. So, we don’t expect [to make] a lot of money this year” he said.
Joas Ekandjo from the Office of the President described the show as awesome, despite experiencing fewer crowds compared to other shows he has visited, but added that he expects people to turn up as the week progresses. “People are interested and are coming to our stall, so we expect people to come in numbers,” he said.The show ends on Saturday, with rugby games and a free music show, featuring local artists, Twazis, closing it off.