Show officials happy with turnout

BY Wednesday, the Windhoek Show had already seen 4 000 more visitors pass through its gates compared to the same period last year.

This has not, however, resulted in more sales for exhibitors, who hope that more Namibians will come and spend their money at the show. “Last year it was a bit better.Things have taken some time to kick off but I am hopeful it will get better towards the weekend,” said visiting Kenyan exhibitor, Margaret Kamau.Another Kenyan exhibitor resident in Windhoek, Cheke Kuria, told The Namibian that he suspected that visitors would be more willing spend their money in the last few of the show.”I suspect more will come towards the end when the prices drop.I will also drop my prices so that more people come and buy,” Cheke said, busily arranging his wares consisting of toys, African jewellery and other bright plastic items.Still, the organisers of the Show, who have instituted modern equipment to provide better security for visitors, are pleased with the progress so far.Ghenno Himarwa, director of information for the Windhoek Show Society, said on Wednesday: “Overall we are very pleased with our progress.Last year during the same period, we had had 43 535 visitors and this year we have already had 47 566 visitors.We believe we can reach our target of 120 000 visitors.”Himarwa also expanded on some of the new measures the society had instituted.”We did away with the armbands we had last year.Many people were getting in and passing the bands on to their friends and we couldn’t control that.This year we issued swipe cards fitted with wireless technology.There are also monitors and cameras all over the show grounds so we are able to eliminate crimes committed on the grounds,” Himarwa explained.He said he was pleased with the high standard of security.”The security guards have really done a good job.Some of them are patrolling on horseback and they are preventing people from sneaking in under the electrified fences.”Himarwa told the press that 27 people had been arrested for attempting to squeeze in through the fences.”We also had to arrest four boys who were caught handing out liquor to younger kids.We have had no reports of stolen cellphones or handbags.On Tuesday we had three lost children who found their families eventually.We also had one case when someone stole a pair of sunglasses and we caught them before they left the grounds.People must know there are surveillance cameras,” he admonished.This year’s show has seen a marked increase in the live entertainment available.There will be a variety show and live music by local musicians on Friday night from 19h00 in the entertainment hall, while award-winning South African kwaito-house group Malaika will entertain the crowds on Saturday night from 18h00.”Last year it was a bit better.Things have taken some time to kick off but I am hopeful it will get better towards the weekend,” said visiting Kenyan exhibitor, Margaret Kamau.Another Kenyan exhibitor resident in Windhoek, Cheke Kuria, told The Namibian that he suspected that visitors would be more willing spend their money in the last few of the show.”I suspect more will come towards the end when the prices drop.I will also drop my prices so that more people come and buy,” Cheke said, busily arranging his wares consisting of toys, African jewellery and other bright plastic items.Still, the organisers of the Show, who have instituted modern equipment to provide better security for visitors, are pleased with the progress so far.Ghenno Himarwa, director of information for the Windhoek Show Society, said on Wednesday: “Overall we are very pleased with our progress.Last year during the same period, we had had 43 535 visitors and this year we have already had 47 566 visitors.We believe we can reach our target of 120 000 visitors.”Himarwa also expanded on some of the new measures the society had instituted.”We did away with the armbands we had last year.Many people were getting in and passing the bands on to their friends and we couldn’t control that.This year we issued swipe cards fitted with wireless technology.There are also monitors and cameras all over the show grounds so we are able to eliminate crimes committed on the grounds,” Himarwa explained.He said he was pleased with the high standard of security.”The security guards have really done a good job.Some of them are patrolling on horseback and they are preventing people from sneaking in under the electrified fences.”Himarwa told the press that 27 people had been arrested for attempting to squeeze in through the fences.”We also had to arrest four boys who were caught handing out liquor to younger kids.We have had no reports of stolen cellphones or handbags.On Tuesday we had three lost children who found their families eventually.We also had one case when someone stole a pair of sunglasses and we caught them before they left the grounds.People must know there are surveillance cameras,” he admonished.This year’s show has seen a marked increase in the live entertainment available.There will be a variety show and live music by local musicians on Friday night from 19h00 in the entertainment hall, while award-winning South African kwaito-house group Malaika will entertain the crowds on Saturday night from 18h00.