Nust student wins Kapana Cook-Off

Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) student Mandume Hasheni is this year’s Nedbank Kapana Cook-off champion.

Hasheni excelled in the finals of the cook-off at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair over the weekend.

According to a statement issued by Nedbank spokesperson Selma Kaulinge yesterday, Hasheni won a state-of-the-art mobile truck worth N$130 000, a N$10 000 cash prize deposited in a Nedbank bank account, a small and medium enterprise training programme from Agra ProVision worth N$6 000 and a N$5 000 Bakpro voucher.

Kaulinge said Hasheni beat 11 other finalists, chosen after a series of intense preliminary rounds held at Ongwediva, Walvis Bay, Oranjemund and Windhoek.

Maria Mambala from Windhoek and Pertus Nambili from Oshakati took the second and third prizes, respectively.

Mambala received N$7 000 and a N$3 000 Bakpro voucher, while Nambili took home N$5 000 and a N$2 000 Bakpro voucher.

According to Nedbank, Hasheni started out in the kapana business at the tender age of 14 when he assisted his mother, who sold vetkoek at the Single Quarters in Katutura. He then learnt how to make and sell salsa, and in 2021, he began selling kapana.

Hasheni is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Nust. He says he will use his winnings to start his own food business.

“I want to look for a good spot in Windhoek where I can park my food truck and sell a variety of food, and create a successful business.”

Kaulinge said this was the third time Hasheni entered the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off.

Speaking about winning the competition after several attempts, Hasheni said: “I thank God for this blessing. I also thank Nedbank for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to encourage other youth to take part in this competition as it may change your life.”

The Nedbank Kapana Cook-off empowers participants to turn their culinary skills into successful business ventures.

Past winners Sakeus Kateya and Ester Silas have used their prizes to start thriving enterprises, demonstrating the bank’s mission to empower self-starters and provide a platform for business owners as they navigate the unpredictable entrepreneurship terrain.

“We are proud of Hasheni winning the 10th edition of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off, he now has the opportunity to take his business to the next level.

He is now equipped to become a successful entrepreneur to allow him to provide for himself and his family, as well as make an impactful contribution to the Namibian society,” said Kaulinge.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na