OKAKARARA – The Okakarara Annual Trade Fair, one of the country’s biggest, is facing an uncertain future because of infighting.
In fact, New Era has learnt that as it currently stands, this year’s trade fair might be called off due to a lack of potential sponsors and an absence of enthusiasm from the area’s farmers, who form the backbone of the town’s yearly agriculture and business event.
This year was set to mark the event’s 16th edition, but when asked about preparations and possible dates for the 2024 edition, Okakarara mayor Samuelline Ngairo said she was unsure if the event will take place, as the town council’s political leadership is yet to meet and decide on the way forward.
“At this point, I’m truly not sure and cannot say if the event will take place or not this year. As council members, we will meet this week to decide on it and deliberate on the best way forward. We will pronounce ourselves in the days to come after we have had our discussions,” she said.
The Okakarara Trade Fair resorts under the town council, but the CEO of the Okakarara Town Council, Ernst Katjiku and his leadership team were allegedly directed not to have a say or any involvement in the organisation and hosting of the event.
As the principal accounting officer of the town council, Katjiku is equally in the dark about the immediate and long-term future of the event, saying he and his senior managers were told to stay as far as they possibly can from anything related to the expo.
“To be quite honest with you, I have no idea if the trade fair will take place or not, because my office is no longer involved in it. I and others here at the office were removed from the organisation of the event and were told not to involve ourselves in it. Yes, the event resorts under the town council, but we as administrative heads of this organisation are banned from it – it is a decision that does not make sense but that is how things are currently. So, I really have no concrete answer for you on your earlier question,” he stated.
Before the town council took over the organisation and hosting of the trade fair, it had resorted under the Okakarara Trade Fair Society, which oversaw the organisation of the event since 2007.
Dirty politics
Asked if the event’s traditional sponsors and other potential financial backers have shown any willingness to bankroll this year’s edition, Katjiku said sponsors are partly a concern but not the biggest of issues.
The biggest problem is the ongoing internal bickering and “dirty politics at play, which is chasing away sponsors”.
“This is one of the biggest trade fairs in Namibia and people are busy playing politics with it. As far as the other internal issues are concerned, I will be honest with you that people think there is money to eat in the trade fair; and they are now working hard to sideline those who want to genuinely contribute to the growth of the event.
“It is very sad. Some of us do not know why we were removed from the event, but how does a town council undertake such a huge event without the office of the CEO to support and streamline the event? How will sponsors even commit their money to the event without the involvement of the CEO’s office? As a town, we can’t afford to play politics with such a prestigious event, we can’t do that,” he added. Last year, close to 40 companies and scores of small and medium businesses exhibited their products and services, including government ministries and agencies. The agricultural show was also one of the main attractions at the 2023 event, where upcoming communal and commercial farmers showcased their animals and various farming methods and techniques.
-ohembapu@nepc.com.na