Omuthiya vendors protest against foreign vendors

Vendors from the Omuthiya open market on Tuesday took part in a march to the governor’s office to hand over a petition protesting the growing number of foreign vendors.

Group representative Hilaria Shikongo said the petition expresses their frustration, but also asks for support, recognition and the regulation of small and medium enterprises and street vendors at the town.

“We are here to express our deep concern over the growing number of vendors from the neighbouring country Angola, who are conducting business in Namibia without any documentation or trading licences,” Shikongo told Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi.

She said foreign traders increased dramatically after the Covid-19 pandemic, causing a decline in their income and putting their livelihoods at risk.

“Us small vendors are now unable to pay our municipal bills and unable to send our children to school due to loss of income. Customers now prefer to buy from foreign vendors because they sell goods at a much lower price, causing many Namibians to close their businesses,” Shikongo said.

The local vendors demanded an answer within 14 working days. They are also requesting that foreign vendors be stopped from selling house to house and that they instead operate from a local spot allocated to them.

In addition, the group wants all foreign vendors to register their businesses, pay taxes and get work permits to prevent illegal trading.

“We want to be protected from unfair competition and make sure our right to earn a living is respected,” the group said.

Kathindi welcomed the vendors and assured them that their concerns would be carefully considered through the appropriate consultations and policy processes.
“I have received the petition and will sit down with the relevant authorities and make sure the local vendors get a response,” he said.

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