Entrepreneurs hailed the ARAF trade fair at Usakos for providing a market for local products.
ARAF is a joint trade fair created by the Omaruru, Karibib and Usakos Town Councils to celebrate local entrepreneurship, micro- and small enterprises, corporates, agriculture and music.
The former Mayor of Walvis Bay Wilfred Immanuel, was one of the exhibitors, who showcased agricultural products from his farm.
Since his retirement, he has been farming livestock and plants on his land about 6 kilometres from Usakos.
He does experiments where he takes crops and vegetables that are commonly grown in the north and grows them in the dry Usakos soil.
Immanuel said the persistent drought in the Erongo Region forced him to find ways of surviving, and the workshops he attends empower him with knowledge.
He has been cultivating various plants, such as prickly pears, which he feeds to his animals.
"During the dry season, there is no need to complain that there is no water or grass as long as you have it and you can feed your animals.You can use it for your animals; you can use it even for your chickens; you can use it for everything, so it's a medicine also, and it can also cure. And the other one is also this plant. This plant can also help people who are having high blood pressure; they can make use of it. You can eat it, and you can make use of it like a medicine. The other one is this one. These ones normally grow in the north, but we have tried to grow them here in Usakos; it's also food for human consumption."
Another exhibitor, Hendrick Muronga from Rundu, sells wooden handmade furniture that he creates with his business partner, Maseka Lazarus.
Muronga highlighted the impact the ARAF trade fair has made on his business.
"The customers have been coming here, enquiring about the business, and that is giving me confidence. Yesterday, they made me so happy because they bought my products. These types of events are very important for us, because I just used to hear about the trade fair, but I never took part in it. I was convinced to participate because of the Usakos mayor and the people that work for the town council. They gave me courage, and I decided to take part."
The exhibitors believe local authorities should create deliberate opportunities for small businesses to thrive.