Empty becomes the new normal for northern malls

AS the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic persists, shopping malls in Namibia’s northern regions are gradually becoming empty, with many outlets closing their doors.

Shop owners have been suffering losses daily since March this year when a countrywide lockdown was enforced.

Saara Amakali, who previously worked as a shop attendant at a retail clothing shop, was laid off recently.

“At first, we were told our salaries would be cut, and later we were told the shop would be closing down permanently because of the lockdown and a decline in the number of customers. I did not see this coming. It’s devastating and traumatising. Life without a salary is not easy. I have children who depend on me . . . It’s funny how some people think this virus is just a normal flu. Normal flu does not destroy people’s livelihoods,” she says.

Ben Zaaruka, owner of Oshana Mall, which is one of the biggest shopping centres in the north, believes the national lockdown and subsequent restrictions were unnecessary.

“The pandemic has left many people without employment and it is devastating to witness. Covid-19 is just a scare.

“Over the years we have had the same scare of HIV-AIDS, but we never locked down the economy. So, why are we locking down the economy for about 100 people who have so far died of Covid-19?

“So many shops at my mall are closing down and young people are losing employment . . . and not everyone can work from home,” Zaaruka says.

He says three retailers, a salon, a doctor’s consulting room and pharmacies have closed their doors at Oshana Mall.

About 15 more shops have indicated they may close down towards the end of the year, and 20 new shops, which had booked space for the second phase of the mall, have indicated they will not be able to open, he says.

Oshana Mall employed more than 1 000 people before the pandemic, but has seen 600 people losing their jobs due to the lockdown, he says.

“We are going into what we call ‘hunger games’, because the crime rate is now going up, and many young people who have lost employment are now resorting to crime because they have nothing to eat at home,” Zaaruka says.

Efforts to get comment from Ben Hauwanga, chairperson of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s northern branch, proved futile.

Email: bottomline@namibian.com.na

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