The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development has commended the Tsandi Village Council for empowering vendors and SME traders.

Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele was speaking at the official opening of the Tsandi Open Market, where she said it was a positive step signifying growth of the Omusati-based Village Council.

 The open market comprises six fruit and vegetable stalls, 17 kapana stalls, nine clothing and food stalls, three salons, one restaurant and cosmetics shop, and two for tailoring.

The village council spent N$8 million on the construction of the state-of-the-art open market.
The market will now serve as a hub that connects local producers with consumers, fostering a strong sense of community through improved safety and cleanliness.

!Nawases-Taeyele, stated that there is a need to constantly provide modern facilities that cater to the needs of the community.

"For Tsandi Village Council to consider demarcating a place for vendors and SME traders, I believe, is a positive step towards the empowerment of small business owners, creating job opportunities and contributing to poverty reduction. I therefore encourage all traders and business owners to take advantage of these new facilities and use them as a stepping stone to greater financial success."

The governor of the Omusati Region, Junias Amunkete, in a speech read on his behalf, said, "This market is more than just a structure of bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of our shared commitment to economic inclusion, grassroots development and regional prosperity."

Asked about what opportunities the new open market brings and how she feels about the open market, Ndapandula Elago had this to say on behalf of other traders.

"We used to suffer from the sun and rain as well as the wind. We feel like we are going to make money here. We are happy for the new open market."