Vendors get down to business

THE Oshetu Single Quarters Market in Windhoek reopened after it was shut down due to the Covid-19 lockdown on 27 March.

After inspection by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, the regional governor Laura Mcleod-Katjirua and Windhoek mayor Fransina Kahungu, the market opened on Monday.

According to minster of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula, the market is certified by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. He said the market needs to comply with rules and regulations or risk being shut down.

Vendors on Monday were setting up their stalls, preparing to continue with their businesses.

Juliana Kahuure, a vendor selling traditional dry foods, said she was excited to finally get back to work.

“We are very happy, because we almost ran out of finances,” she said. Kahuure used Facebook to attract customers, but was not always able to deliver.

Her husband, who runs his own barber shop, was also unable to work during the lockdown, leaving the family without an income.

Wilhemina Venombwe, another vendor agreed with Kahuure, saying she was happy to get back to work. Venombwe struggled to pay her rent without an income.

She also needed to pay her children’s nursery school fees, even though they are currently at home as per lockdown regulations.

Streets vendors returning to their businesses after weeks of lockdown are hoping to make up for their absence.