Festive mood boosts informal trade
Devastated by the impact of Covid-19 measures, informal traders around the capital are witnessing a slight recovery in business.
The festive mood has created relief and brisk business for Namibia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and informal traders whose earnings were eroded by Covid-19 during the year.
The few Ovahimba people who sell traditional wares including bracelets, necklaces and clothing material made from the local products along Independence Avenue in Windhoek are cashing in on the upbeat vibe.
"I come here every day. I have been in this business for close to 15 years but this year was the worst. There was a time we could not come here because the city was closed because of Covid-19,” says Kaija Tjitjara, an Ovahimba traditional ware vendor.
“Now at least there are a few foreigners that are coming to buy our goods. I sell bracelets for N$150, necklaces range from N$100 to N$300 as some are made from original seashells," Tjitjara says.
She continues: "I did not make much money from March to October, but in the past few weeks from November I have recovered well and the sales have really improved. Sometimes I even stay here late because some tourists still come to buy my goods as late as 19:00 so I cannot leave the business."
‘MUCH BETTER’
The newly found brisk business is also evident in the capital's high-density suburbs.
"I cannot really complain, but the few weeks to date have been good in terms of business. Bearing in mind that there was a time we were not even able to sell one dress because people were on lockdown and also financially troubled by Covid-19. Our situation is much better," Loide Uushona says.
Uushona sells traditional dresses known as “odelela” in the Oshiwambo vernacular.
"In the past three weeks, I have managed to make about N$5 000. This is only in a few weeks compared to times when I could only raise that much in a matter of months. So maybe people are now spending because of the Christmas mood," she adds.
Another informal trader in the streets of Windhoek, Talent Chasi, a Zimbabwean national who specialises in selling cell phone wares including screen covers, chargers and sometimes footwear that she buys at China Town, told Xinhua that life was better working than sitting at home.
"I am generally happy now with the festive season upon us that I can move around and sell my goods to the customers as compared to just being stuck home. Business is okay. I manage to sell a few things per day. On a good day I am making as much as N$500," he says. – Nampa/Xinhua
The few Ovahimba people who sell traditional wares including bracelets, necklaces and clothing material made from the local products along Independence Avenue in Windhoek are cashing in on the upbeat vibe.
"I come here every day. I have been in this business for close to 15 years but this year was the worst. There was a time we could not come here because the city was closed because of Covid-19,” says Kaija Tjitjara, an Ovahimba traditional ware vendor.
“Now at least there are a few foreigners that are coming to buy our goods. I sell bracelets for N$150, necklaces range from N$100 to N$300 as some are made from original seashells," Tjitjara says.
She continues: "I did not make much money from March to October, but in the past few weeks from November I have recovered well and the sales have really improved. Sometimes I even stay here late because some tourists still come to buy my goods as late as 19:00 so I cannot leave the business."
‘MUCH BETTER’
The newly found brisk business is also evident in the capital's high-density suburbs.
"I cannot really complain, but the few weeks to date have been good in terms of business. Bearing in mind that there was a time we were not even able to sell one dress because people were on lockdown and also financially troubled by Covid-19. Our situation is much better," Loide Uushona says.
Uushona sells traditional dresses known as “odelela” in the Oshiwambo vernacular.
"In the past three weeks, I have managed to make about N$5 000. This is only in a few weeks compared to times when I could only raise that much in a matter of months. So maybe people are now spending because of the Christmas mood," she adds.
Another informal trader in the streets of Windhoek, Talent Chasi, a Zimbabwean national who specialises in selling cell phone wares including screen covers, chargers and sometimes footwear that she buys at China Town, told Xinhua that life was better working than sitting at home.
"I am generally happy now with the festive season upon us that I can move around and sell my goods to the customers as compared to just being stuck home. Business is okay. I manage to sell a few things per day. On a good day I am making as much as N$500," he says. – Nampa/Xinhua
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