Kavango shebeens no longer profitable

RUNDU – The Chairperson of the Shebeen Association branch in Kavango region Celestinus Shikerete Sunday here said shebeens are not profitable compared to the past seven years in the region.

Speaking to Nampa in an interview Shikerete said many shebeen owners in the region are facing financial problems especially those who were affected by the banditry activities two years ago. He pointed out that some members of the association that were robbed and attacked by the bandits from December 1999 to early 2002 are experiencing difficulties.According to the Chairperson hundreds of shebeen owners in various parts of the region lost their properties and no compensation was paid, therefore it is very hard to start from the beginning again.Shikerete outlined that another obstacle shebeen owners were facing was that of spending a lot of money to pay the government and traditional leaders in the process of securing their licenses.Although Shikerete could not give the exact figures of affected shebeen owners, he is certain that many businesses closed their doors because of the difficulties they were experiencing.He proposed that a meeting should be convened this year with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) regional branch here to seek a solution to the matter.-NAMPAHe pointed out that some members of the association that were robbed and attacked by the bandits from December 1999 to early 2002 are experiencing difficulties. According to the Chairperson hundreds of shebeen owners in various parts of the region lost their properties and no compensation was paid, therefore it is very hard to start from the beginning again. Shikerete outlined that another obstacle shebeen owners were facing was that of spending a lot of money to pay the government and traditional leaders in the process of securing their licenses. Although Shikerete could not give the exact figures of affected shebeen owners, he is certain that many businesses closed their doors because of the difficulties they were experiencing. He proposed that a meeting should be convened this year with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) regional branch here to seek a solution to the matter. -NAMPA