Staff Writer
Nedbank Namibia has officially launched the 2026 NedbankKapana Cook-Off Competition.
The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off has grown into one of the country’s most impactful entrepreneurship platforms, designed to empower informal food vendors and professional chefs by transforming culinary talent into sustainable businesses.
Nedbank Namibia Communications and PR Manager, Selma Kaulinge emphasised the competition’s role beyond cooking, positioning it as a catalyst for financial inclusion and small business development.
“At Nedbank, we believe in being Money Experts Who Do Good. The Kapana Cook-Off is more than a competition; it is a business incubator that creates real opportunities for grassroots entrepreneurs.
By providing financial support, training, and exposure, we are helping to bridge the gap between the informal and formal economy,” said Kaulinge.
She added that the competition recognises the vital role kapanavendors play in Namibia’s economy The 2026 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off will feature three regional rounds across Namibia, leading up to an exciting grand finale
The regional rounds will take place in Swakopmund, Oshakati and Windhoek in August and September.
The top performers from each region will advance to the grand finale on 3 October in Katutura,Windhoek.
The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off is aimed at transforming informal traders into fully-fledged entrepreneurs, with the overall winner in the amateur category receiving a fully equipped mobile Kapana kitchen (food trailer) worth N$150 000, a Nedbank account seeded with N$10 000, and a Bakpro voucher valued at N$5 000.
In addition to these prizes, Nedbank provides winners with financial literacy support and business tools to help them scale their operations into sustainable enterprises.
One of the most powerful highlights of the launch was a moving testimonial from previous winner Ester
Silas, who shared how the competition transformed her life.
“Winning the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off gave me credibility and recognition. It changed how I saw my business, no longer just surviving day to day but building something for the future.
Today, I am not just a vendor; I am a food truck owner and a businesswoman,” said previous winner, winner Ester Silas.
Silas explained how the competition helped her transition from operating informally to running a professional food business, emphasising the importance of branding, customer experience, and consistency.
The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off helps drive Namibia’s informal economy by supporting small business growth, creating employment opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship among youth and women, as well as unlocking the potential within local communities.
The initiative has partnerships with organisations such as Bakpro, Agra, and the Namibian Chefs Association.
