Windhoek’s Own Lagos

Known as ‘The Lagos of Windhoek’, Stop and Shop is a melting pot of noises, smells and hawkers – all competing for the next dollar.

The busy market can almost be compared to the cut-throat markets of Lagos in Nigeria, some say.

A taxi hoots at a hawker pulling a shopping cart jam-packed with cooldrink bottles filled with green dishwashing liquid, shouting “buy one, get one free!”, while a fight breaks out as a young man tries to steal a bag of mopane worms from the vendor.

All the while children are running around through the commotion – carefree.

THRIFTING

Videos on social media such as ‘Outfit of the Day’ and ‘Get Ready With Me’ have led to content creators and followers alike flocking to the open markets for affordable, preloved clothing.

Namibian celebrities like TopCheri and social media influencers are significantly contributing to the rising popularity of nearly new clothing.

“My entire style is thrift. It’s affordable, but exclusive,” TopCheri says.

This rise in over-consumption has led to opportunities for second-hand boutiques, online thrift shops and thrifters, but is it sustainable?

FAITHFUL VENDOR

Faith Ndaradzi (28) gets up before dawn every morning and heads out to make sure her spot on the pavement at the informal Okuryangava Stop and Shop market is not taken.

She has mastered the art of bargaining and marketing the bales of second-hand clothes she orders from Angola.

The little corner of Stop and Shop Ndaradzi has selected to sell her clothing at is burrowed between a woman selling winter tights and a man selling second-hand shoes.

She explains the hierarchy for the best spots, noting an unspoken understanding among the vendors: The closer one sets up to the supermarket, the fewer customers one gets.

“Customers finish their money up there at Mitara [Tukondjeni Open Market] before they get down here,” she says.

Ndaradzi says the location of her spot is no problem, since she sells items she sees other vendors do not.

“I order clothing items that I don’t see a lot of,” she says.

She says customers often tell her what kind of clothes they want.

“Those things people ask for a lot are the things I think to myself to order when the supplier has them,” she says.

Ndaradzi says they operate in an orderly fashion at their ‘Lagos’, and respect each other’s reserved spots.

“If I decide to put my things anywhere else, the owner of that spot would come and tell me this is her spot – move my things,” she says.

“This is the Lagos of Windhoek, you cannot just come and put your things anywhere you want,” she laughs.

Ndaradzi acknowledges the potential of making a profitable business from selling previously loved items. She compares buying affordable bales of second-hand clothing to playing hide and seek, as not all the pieces are of good enough quality to sell.

The nature of the thrift business means Ndaradzi does not take any days off and has to work every day to secure her place at the market.

“If I’m off, it means I’m sick – not able to wake up. If I rest, there is no money coming in. I have to be here every day,” she says.

Ndaradzi says she cannot afford to trust anyone else to run her business for her when she is not able to. “There is no way you can have a bale business and say I’m not there, but someone is selling for me. You will not see that money,” she says.

“There are people who will sell for you. Let’s say they make N$1 500, they will tell you they only made N$500, and will keep the rest of the money for themselves.”

SAFETY CONCERNS

Ndaradzi says the market is not safe, especially towards the end of the month.

Vendors have to keep their eyes peeled to avoid trouble and sketchy customers, she says.

She says she has survived in the concrete jungle by making sure she does not carry flashy bags that could invite trouble.

“It’s like I don’t have anything – it attracts people to steal from you,” she says.

Ndaradzi says her fellow vendors cannot be trusted either.

“If they see you have a lot of stock and it’s month-end, they will pretend to buy something and steal your items,” she says.

Unsold clothes end up collecting dust in store rooms, she says.

“Some items are nice, and some are very bad – even when you put them up for N$10 they won’t sell,” she says.

Ndaradzi says she tries to get her money’s worth by creating smaller individual bales to sell at lower prices. She says exposure to the elements and the harsh Namibian sun prematurely ages clothes.

“Colours like black cannot stay in the sun for too long – they burn,” she says.

BRIGHT SIDE

Not all hope is lost though, as Ndaradzi says no day goes by that she does not sell an item.

“As long as I get up and set up my clothes, here is no day I go home without a single dollar,” she says.

Ndaradzi says she sometimes earns as little as N$200, and other days makes more than N$2 000.

“When I add them up, I can make as much as N$15 000 in a month, even though I have to put it back into my business,” she says.

Ndaradzi says she cherishes the acquaintances and friends she has made among her fellow vendors. Many have helped her in times of need, she says, and their kindness has taught her the importance of community among the chaos, she says.

“We learn from each other a lot here at Stop and Shop, especially languages,” she says.

Ndaradzi says she can converse with customers in Khoekhoegowab, Otjiherero and Oshiwambo.

“Customers are shocked when I can speak a little bit of their language, but I’m just happy I have people to talk to and learn from.”

FUTURE PROMISE
However, Ndaradzi does not see a future for herself at the Stop and Shop market due to the instability of the environment.
“It’s not like when you say I’m at Stop and Shop you are content with your life, or everything is okay,” she says. “How can I live a life like this every day? I need to be somewhere better one day.”
Ndaradzi is saving up to start a bigger and better business that would allow her some time off.
“I’m saving to make my life better for now, and start a better and bigger business. You can see the environment that we are in. It’s not safe here,” she says.

FASHIONISTA

TopCheri’s fashion sense includes a multitude of thrifted pieces, which she says is perfect for her sense of individuality. She is guaranteed to look like no one else on the streets of Windhoek, she says.

“Thrifting is ideal for me, because I’m guaranteed a complete solo trip. Basically nobody else will be pulling up rocking what you’re rocking. My entire style is thrift.”

The musician says her entire style involves vintage attire with a touch of modern.

TopCheri’s says she supports local thrift vendors due to their their affordable prices and unique pieces.

“Also, it comes with the element of supporting the locals, and God knows they never miss a chance to express how grateful they are,” she says.

She adds that she even knows when the thrift vendors receive their stock.

“Bales arrive on Tuesdays, they sort them and clean them on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s ready for purchase. Also, did I mention most of the times the items are new, literally with their tags on.

“I mostly love the blazers, vintage jackets and their shirts,” she says.