Vendors at the Oshikango Open Market have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the Helao Nafidi Town Council, raising serious concerns about their safety while operating at the market.

Initially welcoming the establishment of a structured marketplace, vendors believed it would improve their working conditions by moving them off the streets. However, they now feel that their daily activities have become more challenging.

One commonly heard phrase from vendors at the market is "Ila apa, tambula oka taster," which translates to "Come here, have a taste."

Speaking on behalf of many, Paulina Fillemon and Ndimudule Junias shared with NBC News how emotionally exhausting it has become to provide for their families under increasingly unsafe conditions.

Although the market aimed to organise and regulate street vending in Oshikango, many vendors feel that vending on the streets offers better security, freedom, and visibility.

Fillemon explained that her dream of becoming a successful businesswoman has faced unexpected setbacks, particularly due to safety concerns at the market, especially at night.

While acknowledging the council’s efforts to modernise and structure vending spaces, she remains deeply concerned about inadequate security measures.

Vendors store their goods in the market’s storerooms, but they report frequent break-ins and allege that security guards stationed there fail to sufficiently protect their property.

"We have many lights here, even in the storerooms, but they are not functional. At night, we arrange our things in fear. The guards who are supposed to protect us, some at the main entrance, are always inside their rooms sleeping, while our things continue to be stolen."

Junias, on her part, said that the water they pay for to operate their day-to-day businesses is too expensive, especially given the low profit margins they make.

She added that even though they pay for water, taps are closed on weekends, forcing them to pay nearby residents for it so they can continue trading.

"There's a lot of theft in these markets, and if your things are stolen, you don't know who to contact. Someone stole my goats, valued at N$2,000, from the market kraal. I went to the market head, who sent me to the guards. The guards then referred me to their superior. When you go there, there is no office, something I have never seen in my life. It has become difficult for us because we have no one to follow up on our cases with. There are no security offices, so we lose a lot and end up with nothing at the end of the day."

The vendors say they feel abandoned by authorities and plead with leaders to remember that they hold office to serve the people, not to live comfortable lives while others struggle.