Vendors running their informal businesses along the Hosea Kutako Drive in the Northern Industrial Area in Windhoek have moved to this location from Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, where the impact of COVID-19 devastated their enterprises.

The pandemic has been a nightmare for these small businesses that sell second-hand products, and many are struggling to stay afloat, while others have gone under. 

They have chosen this stretch along the busy road in the northern industrial area because they are determined to make a living and feed their families.

They spread their products along the road in the hope of attracting buyers.

They say open areas are ideal for attracting customers, specifically those in the building sector and other small industries.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the vendors said their businesses were brisk and booming compared to now. 

However, under the current tight economic conditions, it is only their patience that sustains them, as a business is extremely slow. 

They added that sometimes it gets even worse with them only making taxi money and, at times, nothing at all.
 
The vendors indicated that they buy some of their products from as far as Walvis Bay. 

Some of the products on sale are used fishing nets, ropes, tires, safety boots, pipes, firewood, plumbing materials, and paintbrushes, among others. 

Most of their customers are people who own farms.

When contacted for comment concerning this particular group of vendors operating on the fringes of the road, City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya says that the site is part of the road and not conducive to business.

However, she said the city is still trying to identify a permanent site for these vendors.