By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK– What do the Wanaheda Bus Stop, Single Quarter and Kuryongava Open Market have in common, one would wonder?
Well passing by you cannot miss the smoke emitting from such, nor the inviting aroma of freshly grilled kapana. Although they cannot lay claim to being the one and only kapana culinary experts in the city, they nevertheless among the foremost, be it only as a result of their vantage location. Somehow for some time and for some reasons now the three venues have become a kapana rendezvous in the City’s sprawling residential areas wih the habitual smoke emitting from the grilling far from being a air pollutant but a pleasant lure for many a craving taste buds and nagging stomachs. Although kapana may be the main bait an assortment of foods are available from fruits to that Namibian staple died, pap (porridge) as well as a host of
baked beans, cookies, and different traditional foods lining the shelves, offering something for the whole family.
All the three Kapanas have different sellers, from men to women, young and old and all from different cultural backgrounds, but mostly Oshiwambo and Damara/Nama speaking. They wear their normal clothes and some put their hats on while some don’t when selling their Kapana. All have different and unique skills and mannerisms they use to attract their customers. A small piece of meat is meant to be the bait for starters and to appetite the unsuspecting customers. Andreas Thomas, one of the roasted meat seller says its important first to ask customers if they like the meat or not by giving them small pieces to taste.
Unlike in the past when only raw meat would be available, these days roasted cubes of beef seem the in-thing. In fact gone are the days when one would find fresh liver there because these has joined the lucrative business of roasted meat. Cubed and thrown on the charcoal and within a few minutes one has one snack delicacy. And fater the bait piece has done the trick the floodgates open for unending consumption of these kapanas. And to one’s spicy flavour, salt, chilly and different kinds of spices. And for the not-so snacking type, a full meal is on hand of roasted meat with pap, Oshikundu or Oros soft drink. One of the regulars for whom kapana is more than a meal but way of life and a culture, Kadhikwa Sakeus, says eating roasted meat and pap gives him strong energy to start off his day.
And the customers are as diverse as are the kapana omenus from those just stop by for a snack, those enjoying a full meal to those out to ease away the morning after with something chilly. While during the week clientele varies from busy to not-so-busy, weekends, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays become a hustle and bustle. Make no mistake the kapanas are also favourite outings for couples. Trigger Iyaloo Mbago describes himself as dish killer saying every weekend he usually go for Kapana and his most favourite meal is roasted meat and pap. “That’s the only time I feel like I have put something in my stomach. Sometimes I invite friends and they give positive views of Kapana,” he says.
General Perceptions
Meme Lavinia Mwashekele, one of the pap and roasted meat (Kapana) seller, has been in business for five years now. She says, about 200 to 300 foodies visits her stand over weekends, more then weekdays, to enjoy a taste of a good meal. “I like it more to sell my kapana on weekends because it’s when I make lot of money, and most people prefer my deliciously cooked food. They always come in numbers at the same time. I can make even up N$ 700 per day,” she says.
Of the three the Single Quarter’s is one of the most visited kapanas partly because of its new renovations and upgrading, and of course for the multiple goodies on offer. And close by the hordes of watering holes, barbershops and carwashes. Not to mention its relative cleanliness and tidiness. The Okuryongava Open Market, despite limited space and more customers than it can swallow at one time, has one great virtue, the ever smiling sellers.
Besides for the delicious traditional kapanas, and other necessities, all the three open markets are more of meeting points for new and old friends, a social gathering and discussions point.