By Foibe Paavo
Swakopmund, Sept. 1 — Key holders fashioned from a single white or brown makalani nut, from palm tree seeds that grow in the northern part of the country, is fast making waves at Swakopmund, as the sellers seem to know their way of smooth-talking people especially tourists into buying them.
Carved from the de-shelled nuts of the makalani palm, the key holders have become a part of the hassle economy.
The traders in items made from the makalani nut are creatively artistic, and they use them to carve different designs; names of things, people and animals.
The vendors are usually found near the jetty but sometimes along the beachfront and occasionally on Main Street. They however have a different side to their behaviour, which is tricky and more often witty and welcoming.
Walking around Swakopmund, or just having a good time at the beach, it’s impossible to miss makalani vendors.
This reporter witnessed one of them sweet-talking a woman into buying a carved makalani keyholder.
The woman was sitting quietly on a bench admiring the waves as they rolled to the shore and out of blue, a makalani vendor approached her, with his blades and scalpels and asked her her name.
As they talked, the vendor was busy crafting the woman’s name on the makalani key-holder without her noticing. In the end, she was persuaded to buy the item even if she didn’t want to.
The same vendor, who refused to be identified, said his way of making a customer buy his products had proven to be a fast-sales scheme.
“Persuading a customer to buy the product is a skill to be mastered as people are not the same, some might take offence.
He added that makalani items are unique souvenirs as most people don’t realise their value until they see their names on them.
