WINDHOEK - The Councillor for Katutura Central Constituency, Ambrosius Kandjii, says he was very happy about visitors’ turnout at the Katutura Central Expo, which was beyond his expectations.

The Katutura Central Expo, which ran for the second time, took place from last Thursday to Sunday at the Katutura Multi-Purpose Youth Sports Complex.

“This is double the number of people we expected,” said a beaming Kandjii, adding that organisers even ran out of tickets.

He said that the overall spirit was very high and the entertainment from musicians and the boxing bonanza added spice to the event.

Kandjii said that the number of exhibitors also doubled – from SMEs to corporate businesses, as well as ‘kapana’ stalls.

He could not give an exact number of visitors but said that on Saturday, the crowd was so big that the stadium could almost not carry the capacity.

“I am very happy. The standard has improved,” he said.

The councillor revealed that sponsors in kind and in cash came to half a million Namibian dollars.

He said that some of the challenges organisers face include improving treatment of their sponsors and exhibitors – and for that they would need to appoint a fulltime officer twelve months ahead of the event.

Among some highlights of the expo were performances by Gazza, The Dogg, Uno Boy and Ongoro Nomundu.

Kandjii said the expo was crime-free and no break-ins, bag snatching or any violence was recorded.

“We had no complaints and the Namibian Police and City Police and volunteers on the ground really assisted,” he said.

Kandjii thanked all the sponsors who made the event a success.  

Other highlights included an agricultural livestock show and competition, cultural shows and fun rides for the kids.

Windhoek City Councillor Muesee Kazapua who spoke on behalf of the city mayor Ellen Trepper at the opening of the expo on Friday, said that he was excited to be associated with the event and added that “we will grow slowly but surely because local is lekker”.

Okakarara Regional Councillor, Vetaruhe Kandorozu, who also spoke at the expo, said that such an event was very important for the economy.

“This is a very important platform to showcase products,” he said, adding “keep on going, don’t lose focus”.

Chief Josephat Gawa-!Nab of the /Khomanin Traditional Authority said that nobody would forget the expo “because it is historic”.

“I only saw these types of events when whites were doing them,” said the chief, adding that now he sees that blacks are doing it for themselves.

“Please keep up the good work so that we can build the future on this,” he added.

Gawa-!Nab emphasised that unity “must start now among us”.