Justicia Shipena
Beneficiaries of the Okahandja Open Market stalls dropped a bombshell on the
municipality and telecommunications company MTC, stating the facility is small and
located far away from customers.
The Okahandja municipality and MTC inaugurated the open market on Thursday.
Mara Tjazerua, a beneficiary who read a demand letter on behalf of the vendors,
expressed gratitude for the market, saying they have been waiting for it for a long time.
However, the vendors expressed their dissatisfactiond with the way the open market
was constructed.
"We write as a group of vendors in Okahandja to complain about the new open market
build for us. We disagree with moving into the new market because it is far from the
customers, the place is too small to accommodate everyone and the blocks allocated for
selling are tiny," Tjazerua explained.
She said some of their goods might not fit in the stalls and that their customers' mobility
is restricted.
The vendors also complained about the lack of electricity and restrooms at the open
market.
"The toilets are built too close to the selling blocks so the sanitation aspect is not proper.
We are worried about the safety as there is no fence surrounding the market. We cannot
even leave our products behind and lock them anywhere," she said.
Tjazerua added that the place is unsafe and has no concrete chairs and tables for their
customers.
"If you go across markets in Namibia they have tables and chairs made from stones or
bricks which this market does not have. How are we going to carry tables and chairs
everyday? You have this place that is unsafe, and when there is heavy rain or strong
wind, where do we go?" she asked.
The vendors requested the municipality to take their concerns seriously and to provide
them with a larger open market with enough area to sell.
"We want parking for our customers and free movement. The market should have
storing rooms, a fence and security," the vendors demanded.
On the same day, 25 entrepreneurs from the garden town became beneficiaries when
they were given access to their open market stalls.

The open market, which was built with MTC's aid funds of N$200,000 and in
collaboration with the Okahandja municipality, is a trading stimulant for
entrepreneurial activities that will foster self-employment for small entrepreneurs.
MTC's Chief of Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Tim Ekandjo said it is strange to
come to open a facility and the beneficiaries say they are unhappy.
Nonetheless, Ekandjo stressed that community development is vital, saying the
residents must appreciate what is given to them.
"So that when we come to deliver products, we deliver these products with the
expectations that it will make our people happy. We do not want to come and hear at the
inauguration of such a centre that no we wanted it. I think at that point it is too late,"
Ekandjo said.
"We heard and the concerns are valid. What we must now do is hold hands and say what
are we now going to do with this facility to make it better at the standards and
expectations of our people. We must hold hands and take action," he added.
Ekandjo also emphasised the need to fight the country's ever increasing rate of
unemployment, while highlighting SME development and job creation as one of the
focus areas for MTC's corporate social investment.
"The issue of unemployment is a significant concern, and it is crucial to establish
avenues that encourage and support job creation. In any town, open markets are crucial
in economic development. It is where mothers and fathers go to sell and make an
income. And it is from that income that they are able to send their kids to schools and
generally make ends meet for their families, while contributing to building the
Namibian economy," he explained.
He further submitted that MTC is happy to be working with the leadership of Okahandja
municipality.
"We are thus pleased and honoured to have been granted the opportunity by the
leadership of Okahandja town to assist in the construction of the open market, creating
an encouraging environment for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operations
in the locality of Okahandja."
Okahandja Chief Executive Officer, Alphons Tjitombo said that as a municipality, it has
long recognised the importance of investing in the local economy through local
exhibition to empower our indigenous SMEs, vendors and hawkers.
Tjitombo said the municipality appreciates and values MTC's partnership.
"One of our objectives as a Council is to promote and create a conducive environment
for self-employment and SME development, and this open market is key to realising
that. I therefore urge the beneficiaries to take advantage of the facility, and jealously
guard it from vandalism."