The Meat and Beer Festival recently hosted its 21st edition, suggesting the festival’s future looks bright despite being built purely on passion and community spirit, with little corporate financial backing.

The organiser stated that the event’s steady growth and widespread popularity across the country demonstrate unwavering audience support. The festival was launched in 2022 and has become a household name in Namibia’s entertainment industry.

Founder Veneruru Mieze reflected on the journey, saying the festival aims to create a comprehensive experience for attendees and enable performers and culinary experts to earn an income.

“As an event organiser, I went deep in my thoughts to come up with this noble concept that will help revamp the economic disruption faced by the entertainment industry,” Mieze said.

The event’s lineup consists of 50% upcoming artists and 50% established, top-selling, and crowd-pulling artists.

“This gives a platform to promote raw talent from various upcoming artists countrywide, and the crowd pullers help make sure the event is fully attended. We select inclusive artists as per the demand,” said the organiser.

He is excited that artists showcase their capabilities at this festival, to the point where big countrywide events call the Meat and Beer Festival organisers for referrals.

The team strongly believes that financial backing is essential, as the event addresses broader issues, including providing opportunities for newcomers in the creative industry.

Mieze explained that Namibian Breweries Limited has supported the event on several occasions by assisting with equipment. Real Good Chicken also contributed by providing branding equipment and financial support. 

Meanwhile, Coca‑Cola played its part in supporting the event, something the team greatly appreciates.

He added that a significant portion of the event’s funding ultimately comes from individual sponsorships.

Vendors can generate income at the event, with some even following the festival to different locations across Namibia because of the business opportunities it offers. Stalls are advertised on a first-come, first-served basis, giving people a platform to sell their products, earn money, and help boost the local economy.

Tjiunotjina Kazekondjo is an avid vendor at the Meat and Beer Festival and she said her business has grown tremendously due to the exposure the event provides.

“As a student, I have been selling at more than 10 editions, at which I made a profit to sustain myself and my mom. Over the years, this has grown my business to the extent of starting to do vendor stalls at almost every event,” said the excited entrepreneur.

She stated that this is the type of business she runs now and that she makes a great living from it, crediting the festival’s platforms for enabling her to put food on the table.

Another culinary enthusiast who has been with the festival on most occasions is Leletjie Mata, enabling him to sharpen his skills and make a living.

“I have been running stalls for most of my life, but things have been different since the Meat and Beer Festival started in 2022. I have followed the event to every town it has visited, starting from Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Gobabis, Walvis Bay and Windhoek,” reflected the businessman.

Mata said each event has a different vibe and audience, and that’s how he has built a loyal customer base, which helps him every time he returns to those towns.

He said, “This event has helped us to continue believing in this type of business, and we appreciate it.”

-psiririka@nepc.com.na