By:Annakleta Haikera
Works and transport minister, John Mutorwa, says Rundu is among the fastest developing and growing border towns in Namibia.
He said this at the official opening of the 2022 Rundu Annual Trade Fairlast week.
“The Kavango River, emanating from the Angolan mountainous highlands stretches from Katwitwi, the border town with Angola in the Kavango West region to the border with the Republic of Botswana in the East over a distance of approximately 430 km,” Mutorwa explained.
According to him, the Kavango River is a shared watercourse by Angola, Botswana, and Namibia; and governed through the Okavango River Commission (OKACOM).
“Namibia, SADC, Africa, and the whole world went through the most difficult, tragic and traumatic times during 2020, 2021 and part of 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the Rundu Trade Fair was not held for the past two years.”
“Life, as we normally have known it, was completely turned upside down. The cultural, economic and social ways of human behavior and human conduct were completely disturbed, largely destroyed and surely permanently changed,” Mutorwa pointed out.
The minister urged the exhibitors to learn from one another and to exchange their expertise and sell their products and services.
“By doing so,” he said, “even though in a small humble way, you are contributing to the socio-economic development of Rundu town,Namibia, SADC, African Union, and the global world.”
Rundu mayor, Gabriel Kanyanga,welcomed and encouraged the business fraternity and all stakeholders present to offer a helping hand in the development of the town and making it a success story.
Kanyangaemphasised that the trade fair is a significant event for the town to showcase what it is made of in terms of businesses and the opportunities Rundu can offer to tourists, visitors and investors alike.
Rundu hosted its annual trade fair from 28 October to 5 November.