OATF VOX POP

As communities excitedly prepare for the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), Namibia Media Holding journalist Enzo Amuele asked the youth what they are most excited for at the country’s biggest trade fair. Here’s what they had to say.

Max Heinrich

It’s a great opportunity for us to interact with friends and family while having a good time. Great place to take the children and get those new toys and a variety of candy. The trade fair creates a platform for young entrepreneurs to sell their products and advance their business and marketing skills.

As a young person interested in owning a business in the future, international exhibitors teach us a thing or two, like how to interact with customers and how to showcase our products differently.

Certain customer services provided by companies such as MTC and home affairs are brought closer to individuals.

Phillip Josef

I am looking forward to the OATF because it will allow me to socialise and connect with new people or meet up with my distant friends whom I have not seen in a while.

Events like this make you feel part of a cause because everyone gets to participate in making the event successful and improving their town socially and economically.

Taimi Haimbodi

I will expose myself to cultural diversity with the aid of their attire and moral values from the exposed materials related to them. I will grab all opportunities available, like career orientation and business opportunities, in relation to the ones exposed on the ground and enhance my humanity through getting exposed to various exhibitors and other dignitaries that I may come across at such an event.

Parker Titus

We get the chance to witness a variety of products - not just from one sector alone. The trade fair is also a great opportunity for aspiring youth entrepreneurs to extend and deepen their knowledge in the business space and generate new business associates.

Additionally, we are always looking forward to creating unforgettable memories and experiences with our peers.

Blessing Shipale

I believe we need to keep doing what is beneficial for our happiness and that of others around us to make it last longer. This event brings so much fun to all humans around the country, and through it, we are able to meet those we’ve parted ways with many years ago.

Our hobbies, likes, and day-to-day activities are met, which makes us happy and allows us to indulge in our free time. Happiness can't be bought but must be lived and felt; hence, this fair is such an extraordinary source of happiness for us adults and children as well.

Loide Simon

The OATF is a significant event in Namibia that attracts both local and international participants. It serves as a platform for businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations to showcase their products, services and innovations.

Most of the people are usually excited about this event and I am part of these people as a youth. One of the reasons for my excitement is that the trade fair brings together people from various industries, including technology.

For young entrepreneurs, it is an excellent opportunity to network, interact with industry professionals and build connections that can potentially lead to partnerships or mentorship.

Martha Shemuvalula

The trade fair gives us a chance to socialise and explore a variety of products from exhibitors and for them to market their products.

We, the youth, learn a lot from the OATF as we get the opportunity to engage with institutions on a face-to-face basis.

It provides a platform for us to purchase products at a cheaper price and also have access to products that we do not usually have access to.

Michael Shagandjwa

The OATF exposes us to diverse ideas. This event provides an open platform for innovative individuals as well as different organisations to showcase their ideas in so many different ways. The event plays a significant role in impacting the youth, as it allows many young people to learn a lot about entrepreneurship as well as exposing them to significant information that will help them.

Gift Masule

As much as OATF gives the youth an opportunity to showcase their business ventures, it helps boost the local economy and create temporary employment. What makes it more exciting is the fact that people can trade freely to make a profit and we get to learn more about business ventures first-hand.