‘Ouma’ serving food for more than 25 years

If you are from Windhoek and you hear the name ‘Ouma’, you can only think of one thing, which is hotdogs at the red trailer in town.

Emma Motinga, all the way from Berseba in the Karas region, decided to move to Windhoek in search of work because her mother could not afford her schooling. For primary school she was at Berseba and she attended high school in Mariental where she dropped out in grade 9.

“I came to Windhoek as a young lady, looking for work. I got a job as a domestic worker, but the salary I received could not help me take care of my kids.”

She decided to leave her job and run her own business. With no idea how to run a business, she took the risk with the little capital she had of N$450 and started selling hotdogs.

“Starting a business was not easy, in the beginning I wanted to make rice and curry but I saw Shoprite and Checkers who were close to me were selling the same thing so I had to change it up and decided to make hotdogs,” she added.

Now she sells different types of hotdogs and burgers. She is loved by everyone who knows her as she is always kind and welcoming. “Hello lovey,” is how she welcomes everyone who greets or wants to buy something to eat.

Ngozi Kandjamba, who is one of her best customers, says, “Ouma’s hotdogs are really delicious, and affordable. I can’t afford to always take cab home for lunch, so a lot of us eat our lunch here. Especially the full house burger, it really hits the spot.”

Motinga will make it 27 years in in November, selling food to her customers in the centre of Windhoek. “I’ve made a success from selling these hotdogs, it paid for my kids’ school and I also bought a house through this business.”

Her advice to young entrepreneurs: “Young people have a tendency of starting something and giving up halfway. Please always try and stay dedicated to what you do.”