OATF return applauded

Northern Namibian entrepreneurs are excited about the return of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), which was cancelled for two consecutive years due to Covid-19.

Successful entrepreneur Ben Hauwanga, owner of Bennies Entertainment Park in Ongwediva, said his establishment has always served as an entertainment spot after visitors had attended the trade fair.

“Business was definitely booming during the trade fair days. We would have clients who would book into our establishment, but also those who would come for a swim and to relax by the pool and have some drinks,” he said.

Hauwanga said the fair attracts new clientele from other parts of the country "and new clients are always a positive thing in the world of business. It is definitely looking positive, and we are looking forward to it.”

He added that Ongwediva is a very organised town and commended the Ongwediva town council for going back to the drawing board and bringing back the much-loved fair.

“They have always done a good job in the past and I doubt it will be any different this year. They have hosted multiple successful events, so I am excited,” he says.



Broaden the scope

Hauwanga suggested that with the growth of the trade fair over the years, the organisers should consider how to attract visitors from neighbouring countries, especially Angola.

“We have close relations to Angolans, as we are much closer to the border compared to other parts of the country. It will be a good idea to branch out and sell our market to them and attract new faces as well.”

Esser and Banda Shilemela, business owners and locals from Ongwediva, are also looking forward to attending this year’s trade fair.

“We are going to have a stall for our locally produced product, Vintage Brew Oshikundu. Our expectations are that there will be a hive of activity compared to the previous years and we are also looking forward to meeting new business partners and customers,” Esser said.

They said, with the pandemic “we lost out on a lot of opportunities to expand and acquire new business links. Our customer base also shrunk, so good times are definitely on the horizon.”

Banda, who is mostly involved in their Shilemela Security business, said businesses that were hard hit had to remove their security measures to cut costs so the comeback of the trade fair will allow his other businesses, which are interlinked, to flourish.

“It is definitely a big event, not only for the Oshana region, but the entire country as a whole. I encourage all SMEs to get a stall at the next event and to experience a platform as big as the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair,” he said.