For many businesses, getting their products to the potential customers remains a challenge.  

It is against this background that the city of Windhoek's Spring Market was initiated to provide the city's entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase and sell their products while creating opportunities to connect directly with customers. 

From Kapana, handbags, clothing, jewellery, food and many more were on display at the Windhoek Spring Market.

For small business owners, the event is more than just a place to sell. 

It was an opportunity to introduce their brands to new customers and create awareness about their business.

The Section Head of SME Development at the City of Windhoek, Leonora Joodt, says supporting small and emerging businesses forms part of its mandate to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs. 

"The City of Windhoek mandate is to support local businesses and small businesses by creating opportunities and platforms for them where they will ultimately be able to make businesses, sell products, and engage with prospective clients as well as people that are interested to invest in their business. But these kinds of initiatives, like the Spring Market, are part of the City of Windhoek ongoing support programmes for SMEs to ensure that we develop the entrepreneurs and promote them, and ultimately, you know, when we are successful in these initiatives, we will create jobs, and this will contribute towards local economic development."

She says beyond markets, the City also offers business training and development programmes to strengthen their business. 

The Spring Market was first introduced in 2023, following the economic challenges experienced by businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since then, the city has continued hosting events to help entrepreneurs grow.

While entrepreneurs appreciate the opportunity created by the municipality, they want the platform expanded to the other parts of the city. 

"I think it's already being done. I exhibit quite a lot of markets; there are a lot of markets that are being organised. But obviously, these markets can always be improved, maybe in terms of how they treat vendors, for example. Because sometimes you end up going to markets, and maybe the organising teams are not as good as what we would expect them to deliver. But currently, I feel like there are a lot of markets that are being organised there, and we are grateful for opportunities like that."

"I am very happy for this opportunity because this is the only way to showcase what I do. As you can see, there are a lot of people coming, and that is how they will get to know who I am and what I do."

"It is a great platform, really, that the City of Venterkév provided for us. It's a chance for us to meet our clients and for our clients to also meet us to showcase what we do. It is a great platform, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be here. I think there is more to be done in terms of creating opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs."

They believe regular markets and business events can help more small businesses gain exposure, connect with customers and build sustainable enterprises.