Two hardworking women in their 50s are keeping preserve traditional food in the market at the Stop n Shop market in Okuryangava. Anna Nadula and Elise Jeremia arrive as early as 06h00 every morning and work until late in the evening.
Their stalls stand side-by-side, offering well-known local foods such as mopane worms, mahangu flour, omahuku, eentangu, omahenhova, omutete, ombidi omakunde oshuungu, ongudo yomahangu, ongudo yiilyavala , iilya yomahangu, eentanga damukokota and iilyavala.
Nadula started her business in 1995.
“I wanted to provide for my children, my family, and people in my community. Through this business, I sent all five of my children to school, as well as some of my family members. I love selling traditional food because it grows naturally,” she said.
However, business is not always easy. Nadula said they face constant challenges.
“The City Police always chase us away because we do not have proper infrastructure. The sun is also terrible. It gets very hot, and we need proper shade from the government or a Good Samaritan,” she said.
Jeremia shared the same concerns. She believes the area needs urgent improvement. “We want this area to be upgraded. We need proper infrastructure and better shade, as you can see the one, we are sitting under,” she said.
Despite these difficulties, the two women continue to work hard each day, serving customers and keeping Namibia’s traditional foods on the table.