ONGWEDIVA – Namibians from all corners of the country have flocked to Outapi in northern Namibia to celebrate one of the most important days on the Namibian calendar.
The country’s annual Independence Day will be celebrated with enthusiasm in the town tomorrow and organisers have worked hard for the last four weeks to prepare a memorable event.
This year’s celebration has brought joy to numerous owners of accommodation facilities in Outapi as they are all fully booked.
Some latecomers have booked accommodation in nearby towns such as Okahao and Oshikuku.
Some journalists who spoke to New Era said they did not get accommodation in Outapi because all the accommodation facilities have been booked.
The news reporters said this will make it difficult for them to arrive on time for the coverage at the town’s famous Olufuko Centre.
Outapi has 15 guesthouses, which have all been fully booked since last week as some government officials have already descended on the town.
Speaking to New Era, the manager of Outapi Town Hotel Ndeyamo Amadhila said they are excited to host the independence celebration because this is an opportunity for them to make money.
“All the 30 bedrooms are already booked by various people coming to attend the independence celebration day,” she noted.
Amadhila said since Covid-19 ended, they have not received as many clients as last week.
Therefore, she added that this is a very big shot in the arm for them and a good opportunity for the business to recover from Covid.
“This will also keep us busy as we will now serve more clients at the bar and restaurant as our hotel is full,” she said.
Another accommodation establishment manager Tina Shingenge of Epikaizo guesthouse said they are grateful and delighted to receive such a huge number of customers.
“This didn’t happen before. We are lucky to host this very important occasion. Therefore, I wish it could be like this every day.”
“If this could happen more often, we will employ more people. Our businesses have recovered because some people have been in our rooms for a week now and we have seen a big improvement in terms of finances,” she stressed. – fhamalwa@nepc.com