Anna Shilongo
31 July 2007
Windhoek — No river is too deep to cross, and when you are determined to climb the highest mountain peak, nothing would prevent you from doing so - so the saying goes.
All it takes is sweat, but the reward may be worthwhile. This is the principle of an ambitious young man who sells pieces of roasted meat locally, known as 'Kapana'.
Kauluma Uleinge, who is 25 years old, is determined to do what ever it takes to make ends meet and survive the storm of poverty and unemployment.
Uleinge is one of the few entrepreneurs that New Era recently spoke to at the popular meat market at the Single Quarters in Katutura about their booming businesses.
"Men are described as hardworking people, and sitting idle is not their culture or tradition but to feed their families. Putting food on the table is the most important task for us men," said Tobias Kadengela who came all the way from the north in the hope of securing a job.
Some men are not socially and economically empowered, and thus some resort to evil deeds such as criminal activities just to look after themselves.
However, to some the wind of change has blown for people like the 25-year-old Uleinge who refused to indulge in any such acts but to rather sell the 'Kapana', a popular delicacy, in 1994.
"I started selling, with my uncle just across that road. At that time we would sell sweets and apples to enable us to put bread on the table. Sometimes we would make money while other times it was drought. But we never gave up," explained the young entrepreneur.
But finding a proper place for him wasn't easy at all, and the two had to struggle to get a place at the Single Quarters.
It's because of his energy that he is today a proud father and an elder brother supporting his family from the earnings generated from 'Kapana'. He built himself a house - something he did not own before at Greenwell Matongo.
Another successful young man is 22-year-old Tobias Kadengela from the north. Kadengela came to the city at the age of six years after he lost both his parents. He lived with his family in Katutura making a living from the meat business.
Like many other children, Kadengela unfortunately never got a chance to go to school like he wished. His dream of one day becoming a career man was dashed, poverty never accorded him a place behind a desk in a classroom.
" I have struggled all along, I would pray and hope that one day someone would come to my rescue just so I could sit in a classroom. There was no money to pay my school fees and, at the same time, I had to go to the bus stop to sell fruits and sweets," said Kadengela, tossing the pieces of meat as the smoke stung his eyes making them water.
In 1993, he moved into the Kapana business where he started selling goat meat, but today he can afford to buy a whole cow. One cow ranges from N$5000 to N$6000.
"Selling Kapana made me who I am today. Although my dreams never materialized, I am at least happy that I can survive the harsh environment of the city and I am raising my family. I am responsible for paying school fees for my three siblings and putting bread on their table," he said, whilst serving a customer.
Today, Kadengela is his own boss. His business is doing so well that he has created job opportunities for two other young people who normally run the business in his absence when he is out on the farms to buy more meat for his business.
From this business, the young man managed to buy himself two second-hand cars as well a house.
When people from all walks of life trickle to the Single Quarters to taste the well-spiced meat, the meat-sellers normally rush for these potential buyers whom they direct to their stands.
"Come, Tate, and taste this for free," said 32-year-old Festus Johannes who's been in this trade for the past nine years.
Placed in front of the smouldering coals is a box of salt and hot chilli into which customers dip mouth-watering pieces of roasted meat and liver.
Johannes enjoys this trade from which he earns a living.
He migrated to the city in the hope of getting employment, leaving his family in the north.
He, unfortunately, could not get a formal job but was grateful to the municipality for providing them with a place where they could conduct business.
He said there couldn't be a better job than what he is doing now and that life left him with no other option.
"I am raising my family out of Kapana. It's better than nothing. I'd rather spend the whole day getting burnt in the sun than sitting idle," he said, handing over meat wrapped in a piece of newspaper to a waiting customer.
Asked how much profit one can make in a day, none of the sellers could really give the exact amount. "The Kapana business income is unpredictable, and therefore the number of customers determines the income of the day."
They buy cattle from the farms and divide it into two parts - one for Kapana and one just for selling raw. One piece of meat costs N$15 while Kapana costs N$2 apiece.
Depending on the number of customers per day, one cow normally lasts for a day or two.
Today, the Single Quarters is home to every one because of its vibrant and social vibe, locally known in the Oshiwambo dialect as "Osingela" located along Shanghai Street in Katutura.
Behind the row of Kapana Twenty-two points, plus triple-word-score, plus fifty points for using all my letters. Game's over. I'm outta here. sellers are women selling traditional cuisines - the likes of vetkoek, and Oshikundu, Omalodhu - both traditional drinks - as well as home-cooked chicken with thick 'pap' or Oshifima.
In a nutshell, the Single Quarters is a place where all people flock for their lunch. And for these businessmen and women operating at this busy market, business appears good.
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