Mixed opinion over turnout during Keetmanshoop expo

KEETMANSHOOP, 20 SEP – Some businesses that took part in the Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo are not happy with the low turnout of visitors during the event.
The expo took place from 12 to 15 September.
Ndikandafhi Mufune from South Africa who represented Sivon Trading, told Nampa towards the end of the event it was the second time they take part in the expo but business was better last year.
“We met our target last year but this year, we couldn’t,” he said.
They sell multi-purpose cleaning materials.
Also speaking to this agency was Rudolf Smit from Usakos who represented Steidler Farming, which sells chickens.
He said it was his first time at the expo but he was not happy with the turnout, especially when he compares it to other expos and shows he has been to.
“We expected more farmers to come out but it did not go so well,” Smit said.
He added that they will use the experience to determine what people in southern Namibia are interested in.
“Now we know which breed of chickens we have to sell here,” he said.
Matheus Motinga, a food vendor, however said he was satisfied.
“We are very happy; we made good profit and business was good. We look forward to next year,” he said.
Approached for comment on Wednesday, Keetmanshoop Show Society Vice-President, Anton Losper confirmed that less visitors than expected showed up.
“It was lower than in previous years. We even saw it in the tickets we sold for the beauty pageant,” he said.
Losper speculated that the low turnout could be a result of the cold weather last week or poor marketing of the event.
He said they still need to finalise figures of how many people attended to determine if the event was successful or not.  – NAMPA