Back to school

RUTH KAMWI and FENI HIVELUAHWITH government schools reopening this week, The Namibian in December visited two local school uniform and stationery stores to find out why some early-bird parents and guardians chose to do their back-to-school shopping weeks before the January bustle.

Ibrahim Patel (45)

Co-owner of Boundary Wholesale said: “We are open throughout the year, except on public holidays, to avoid the rush in January,” he observed, adding that people have become wiser and have started shopping earlier. Considering that schools open earlier than normal in 2019, Patel said shoppers will rather get what they need early to avoid spending many hours in long queues, in January.

Johanna Edward (38)

“The stationery is available now, and it is cheaper than it is in January.” said Edward in December. She added that buying school supplies in December would seem very expensive as people still had to pay for the holidays.

Julia Momito (39)

Momito was buying school uniforms for her child, who is a learner at the Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School. She said buying school uniforms in December is a better alternative as the store have a wide range of sizes. Momito also chose to purchase uniforms at Boundary because of reasonable prices and durability.

Francois William (29)

“It’s just easier to buy now before it’s too much of a rush in January when everyone is waking up to finish the school uniform buying, books and so forth,” said William, who was buying school uniforms for his children who are at the Okahandja Learning Centre. He adds that people will be tired after the holidays, which is why it’s better to do back-to-school shopping when the holiday starts. Despite school uniforms being expensive, William remarked that it’s better for all to wear the same uniform as some parents don’t have money for brand-labelled clothing.

Uanee Kaapama

“December is better to avoid flocking,” Kaapama said, before adding that buying school uniforms in December is planned in advance to allow time for provisions in January. “You cannot say prices are okay, but they are reasonable because after the closing of Karseboom, there are no competitors for Boundary,” she noted.

Susan Iyambo (47)

The parent of an 8-year-old pupil at People’s Primary School (PPS) said she would rather shop earlier to avoid the January rush. “The service [at Boundary] is very nice because the shop assistants are not under stress; they just help us faster and quicker,” Iyambo said. She added that she had already set aside a budget for school uniforms.

John D’Alton

“January will be a stampede,” said D’Alton, who was purchasing uniform items for his children, who are pupils at Pioneerspark Primary School. He added that too many people get rushed in January, and therefore, buying school uniforms early is wiser. D’Alton, whose wife purchased their children’s school uniforms, said she was more in touch with prices. “I don’t know!” he jokingly responded to questions about whether the uniforms were affordable.

Yolandi Engelbrecht

The superviser at the Waltons store located in Mutual Platz said December was the best time to buy school supplies as there was no rush. “The store is busier in January because people tend to smell the coffee a bit late, but the best time to buy is in December,” Engelbrecht reiterated. She stated that people have more time in December to get your priorities in order. She advised parents to do their school shopping before Christmas.

Josefina Nelongo (38)

Nelongo, whose three children attend Sunshine Private School, said if she doesn’t buy in December, she’d spend her money on other things, and that her children would subsequently be left without school supplies. “I’m taking pictures now and checking to compare prices,” she noted whilst shopping in Waltons.

Mwahaluka Peter (55)

Peter said he was buying school supplies for his six children. He added that two attend Windhoek-based schools, while four study in the north. He said that he had extra money saved for school supplies. “I have to do my job now because in January there isn’t enough time after ploughing and other activities undertaken during the holiday,” Peter added. He mentioned that the leftover money would contribute to his family’s transport fees for work and school.

Jan Everson (47)

and Zelma Everson (46)

The Eversons travelled to Windhoek from Walvis Bay to purchase some school uniform items for their two sons. The parents said they prefer to buy from Boundary Wholesale because the store has a wide variety and big uniform sizes. “We’d rather come now to do the shopping because when school starts on 8 January, there’s going to be a big rush as there’s not a lot of time after New Year’s celebrations to come from Walvis Bay to shop here,” Zelma said. In terms of budgeting, she has made sure to buy only the necessary uniform items.

Emeritha Shilunga

Shilunga, who was buying school supplies for her son, a pupil at a school at Oshakati, stated that buying school supplies was a priority for her over doing Christmas shopping, and that it’s better to buy in December as supplies were more available. “You have more time to compare prices within different shops,” Shilunga said. According to her, the prices of school stationery are not so bad.

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