Niël Terblanché
Oranjemund came alive last Saturday as the town hosted the fourth preliminary round of the 2024 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off for the first time ever.
The competition, now in its 10th year, continues to celebrate Namibia’s beloved street food, kapana while providing a platform for local culinary talents to shine.
The Oranjemund round saw 30 enthusiastic participants vying for a spot in the highly anticipated final.
After a day of intense competition, three contestants, Rauha Simon, Giovani Matheis, and Ndamonoghenda Heita, emerged victorious, securing their places in the grand finale.
They will join previous qualifiers Mandume Hasheni, Maria Mumbala, Sxelse Tsamases, Laura Egumbo, Rhonda Baseko, Veueza Kasemba, Johannes Haulondjamba, Petrus Nambili, and Hileni Hashipala at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair on 24 August.
Selma Kaulinge, Nedbank’s spokeswoman, expressed her excitement over the talent showcased in this year’s competition.
“We are thrilled by the exceptional talent displayed in this year’s competition. The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off not only celebrates our rich culinary heritage but also supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to shine and grow their businesses,” Kaulinge said.
The grand prize for the competition is a state-of-the-art mobile kitchen valued at N$130 000, along with N$10 000 in cash deposited into a Nedbank account, a SME Training Programme from Agra Provision worth N$6,000, and a N$5,000 vetkoek voucher from Bakpro.
The first runner-up will receive N$7 000 in cash and a N$3 000 vetkoek voucher, while the second runner-up will walk away with N$5 000 in cash and a N$2 000 vetkoek voucher.
Kaulinge pointed to the broader impact of the competition on local businesses.
“The grand finale in Ongwediva promises to be an exhilarating event where the finalists will showcase their culinary prowess. The winner will walk away with a mobile kitchen, an invaluable asset that will help them expand their business and reach new heights,” she said.
Twafiika Events organizes the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off with support from partners such as Bakpro, Omulunga Radio, AGRA, and the Namibian Chefs Association.
This collaborative effort stresses the collective commitment to further develop entrepreneurship and celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Namibia.
According to Kaulinge, the event in Oranjemund has set a high bar, showcasing the passion and creativity of Namibia’s kapana cooks.
She said that the stage is now set for an exciting culmination of this year’s competition, promising a feast of flavours and fierce culinary battles.
