Keetmans expo draws crowds despite FMD

The 70th Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo (KAITE) attracted thousands of visitors despite the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the ǁKharas Region, although restrictions affected some exhibitors’ businesses.An estimated 5 000 people visited the expo on Friday, generating more than N$65 000 in gate fees, according to a reliable source.Mount Karas Butchery supplied most of the meat sold at the expo. Its certificate of fitness, covering its abattoir and butchery operations, was issued on 8 October and is valid until 31 March 2027.Owner Christine van Zyl said the meat was prepared and sold in line with FMD regulations and guidelines issued by the ministry and the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)."A health inspector visited the site to ensure that regulations were being followed. Before 23 September, we prepared and vacuum-packed 1.5 tonnes of meat for the expo at Farm Tranental, about 200 km east of Keetmanshoop," she said.Van Zyl said business was slower than in 2025, with meat and baked-product sales declining. Sosaties sold out on the first day."Last year, we prepared 3 000 sosaties, while this year we made only 800. We could not produce more because of the FMD restrictions on slaughtering," she explained.She suggested reserving meat and barbecue stalls at future expos for entrepreneurs and businesses from the ǁKharas region."The region's economy is currently in a very precarious position because of FMD,” she said. “Farmers and businesses need protection. We hope the 2027 edition will be better and that the expo will not have to operate under similar conditions.”She acknowledged, however, that exhibitors from outside the region helped ensure a diverse expo. The absence of farmers was also noticeable, as many were dealing with the outbreak and its impact on their livelihoods."They have serious issues to worry about, and most stayed away. The government must look at the situation in the region. Bringing meat into ǁKharas is very expensive, and local communities cannot afford the prices," she said.Food stalls thriveFransisca Sossu, supervisor at the Fishcor fish shop, said most frozen seafood products had sold out."We had eight tonnes of various frozen fish products, including angel fish, hake, calamari, crayfish and kingklip, to mention a few. We limited daily sales to ensure that we had fish available throughout the expo."We offered affordable prices and, for the first time, also operated a kitchen on site,” she said.Lena Kahure of the NamPol Sport Club food stall said the club made more than N$4 000 on Friday alone."Our best-seller was donkey meat. This was our first time exhibiting at the expo, and we are very satisfied with the experience.” She said proceeds would go towards the police’s annual sports championship.Natasha van Wyl of Windhoek-based Lorna's Fashion, a five-year KAITE exhibitor, also described Friday as a good trading day."Business was OK overall, although not as good as last year. We are, however, grateful and have no complaints," she said.She called for extended trading hours on the final day and mobile ATMs at the venue."It would also have been good if the amusement rides had been available on Saturday. It was the weekend, and people were at home," she said.Rehoboth vendor Carlien Cloete, attending the expo for the fourth time, said business picked up after a quiet start."It was a pleasant experience, and we made some good sales. Things were a bit quiet during the first three days, but business picked up on Friday. We will definitely return.”Paulus Tulwali of Emperor Sushi Bar in Oranjemund also described the expo as worthwhile.The KAITE musical event rounded off the 70th anniversary celebrations, with South African DJ Milo headlining alongside DJ Solange and local DJs WillGotJuice, Costa The DJ, DJ Pirax, 2WODUO, DJ Keanu, BMac and GBozz."People came out to have a good time and enjoyed themselves. There were no incidents," said event coordinator Jevanius van Rooyen.

Keetmans expo draws crowds despite FMD

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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Keetmans expo draws crowds despite FMD

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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