Business in rural Nam in Covid slump

Ndalimpinga Iita - The Covid-19 pandemic has wounded rural informal enterprises in Namibia, driving their business to a slump.Karoline Bernadus runs a small shop selling a mix of household products and traditional brew at Oneko informal business area in northern Namibia's Oshana region. Since the state of emergency came into effect, business came to a halt."For more than two weeks, I have not sold any goods, suffering significant losses. More so because I depend solely on the village business to maintain a livelihood," Bernadus said Friday.According to Bernadus, she has lost an average income of N$2 000, which she previously invested back in the business while the remainder of the proceeds were channeled towards her household needs.‘Bleak future’Inactivity in business is counterproductive to her existence and prospects. And she is not the only one.Muti Mupopya is known for her excellent cooking skills. She sold food items in the business area or activities like sports. The country's resolution to cancel mass gatherings has impacted her business."My business depends on the masses of people to thrive. The more people buy the more profit. But with no events held, I am at God's mercy. I have to seek alternative ways to survive. The future is bleak," Mupopya said.Meanwhile, closure of businesses like that of Bernadus has put a strain on the finances of local families. The villagers are forced to travel to the nearest town at a higher cost.TransportDwellers now have to pay for transport to town."Once in town, one should take a taxi, and then pay transport again when returning to the village. We are spending more money, which we already don't have," said Cecilia Shilongo.Monetary proceeds are not the only aspects affected, but also functionalism of the rural socio-economic dynamics as well as the mobility of dwellers.Mooki Johannes collected dried groundnuts from her farm. She would normally hitchhike to the nearest main town Oshakati in a neighbour's car and sell fresh groundnuts at the open market. However, no transport was available on the day. What is more, informal trade at the designated open market was banned amid Covid-19."I have made a loss of more than N$3 500 over the two weeks confined at home," she said.Transport mentioned by Johannes is that of her neighbour, Matias Matias, who charges villagers like her when they are transported to Oshakati for income generation.Villagers, who would be stranded, regard his transport venture as life-saver.Nevertheless, he is now unable to travel to the area.Isolation"The villagers, who are my clients, stay home. This means that I do not have clients to take along. I had to park my car. However, it has been difficult to meet all my basic needs. On the other hand, I also need to stay home and adhere to measures out in place to curb the coronavirus," he said.In the interim, as they count their losses, the villagers are hoping to benefit from the emergency relief fund and incentives for informal businesses introduced by the Namibian government.At the grassroots level, Johannes Andreas, a constituency councillor in Oshana region, said that the office is coordinating with the village headmen to register informal traders in the rural areas whose businesses have closed down.In the interim, despite losses endured, the villagers said sacrificing business would support the country's efforts to curb further spread of Covid-19."We are hopeful for business recovery," said Bernadus. Vendor ban liftedVendors are now allowed to sell food items during the lockdown period with recommendations provided that they comply with the set rules and regulations of the State of Emergency country lockdown.The deputy minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Daniel Kashikola, last week said customers should practice the buy-and go strategy and avoid groupings which are part of the measures put in place during the lockdown period.“They can do business provided that they comply with the rules and regulations. This will be happening under strict observations by law enforcement agents tasked to enforce regulations. Conditions include social distancing and keeping good hygiene such as washing of hands,” he said.He added that vendors should take responsibility by not allowing their customers to sit-in at their place of business to consume whatever they might have bought. – Nampa/Xinhua

Business in rural Nam in Covid slump

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