Ongwediva Trade Fair praised by visitors

The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) 2014 has ended and the event’s praise-singers are becoming ever louder, but the event also has its fair share of vocal critics. The many information-sharing events and product introductions held since the event kicked off last Friday were described as successful. Visitors the Namibian Sun spoke to had nothing but praise for the range of products and services on offer, but exhibitors’ views varied. E Matsika, managing director of Good Hope Leather Products from Zimbabwe, said everything went smoothly and he was satisfied with the expo. Maria Kamati of the Kuku Mashungu project from the Okaku Constituency of Oshana Region said she did good business at the expo, but business was slower compared to previous exhibitions. “It seems that this year we have fewer visitors and people are simply not buying. This might be the result of saturation because too many trade fairs are being hosted in the North, or perhaps because the OATF overlapped with the Olufuko cultural festival at Outapi,” she said. Kamati’s views were echoed by another SME trader, Namene Kuugongelwa of Kondja Trading, who said this year’s trade fair showed a downturn. “People are buying but not nearly as much compared to previous events,” she said. The OATF started last Friday and was officially opened by President Hifikepunye Pohamba the next day. This was followed by a variety of events, including a baby competition, OATF stakeholders’ cocktail on Sunday, a presentation by Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau on Monday, presentations by MTC, the Social Security Commission, Telecom Namibia and Air Namibia, as well as the inauguration of the OATF Centre’s new Standard Bank Namibia entrance gate. The best exhibitors were announced on Thursday evening. On Friday the show drew to a close with a livestock show, followed by the Miss OATF 2014 pageant in the evening. Regional police commander Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa said no significant crime incident was reported at the Trade Fair Centre. “The only report that I received so far was of theft from a motor vehicle and it happened outside the trade fair centre. Someone parked his vehicle outside where unknown criminals broke into it, stealing some valuable items,” he said. ONGWEDIVA PLACIDO HILUKILWA