ONGWEDIVA – Over N$1.3 million was raised at a gala dinner over the weekend ahead of the annual trade fair in Ongwediva.
The fundraising event was held at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre.
The 22nd edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) is being held under the theme ‘Embracing a sustainable economy linking smart markets’. It will run between 25 August to the 2 September.
At the event, telecommunications giant MTC pledged an amount of N$385 000. MTC is the event’s main sponsor.
One of the guest speakers at the event was renowned medical practitioner Dr Tshali Iithete, who said Ongwediva’s population growth, has seen much-needed services being brought close to the people, ranging from education to the health sector.
“This has positioned Ongwediva as an economic hub, where opportunities are found, as the economic sector of the town has grown,” he said. He added that Ongwediva continues to grow, which results in the development of the town. In addition, Iithete said Namibians need to embrace assisting the youth as they are the ones holding the economy, and they need to be empowered. Iithete then called on the business community to ensure that the pioneers who brought businesses to the town are listed in the town’s wall of fame for business people. According to Iithete, smart markets enable them to be well connected and ensure that data is analysed to know where improvement is needed for the development of the country. At the same occasion, MTC spokesperson Erasmus Nekundi said over the past 15 years, MTC has committed to supporting the OATF.
Nekundi said it is because they recognise the value that this fair brings in terms of business stimulation, employment, wealth creation and overall national economic development. “As MTC, we recognise the OATF for its futuristic and radical transformation,” he said, adding that last year, they had a hybrid exhibition where exhibitors could showcase their trades both physically and online. Also speaking at the gala dinner, Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu said Ongwediva is the town of opportunities. Shalyefu stressed that the trade fair is being held with the purpose of ensuring that they promote economic development through improving service delivery in the town. He added that the council is on the move to persistently and consistently create opportunities aimed at promoting deliberate economic development, abetted by quality investments, smart business collaborations, and improved service delivery.