SMMEs agog about Consumer Fair

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday August 26, 2010 00:00

 

The Marketing and Communications Manager of Fairground Holdings, Nyaladzi Kutjwe, said this yesterday in an interview with Mmegi Business at the ongoing 2010 Consumer Fair.

The fair, which is themed Your Spring Shopping Oasis, started on Monday and has attracted 318 exhibitors, most of them SMMEs.  All exhibitors who booked for slots have taken up their places and are enjoying the fair.  Kutjwe says she is so far impressed with the turnout of visitors and exhibitors.   They expect the number of visitors to keep increasing as the show moves closer to its final day on Sunday.  Mmegi Business went on a brief tour of the show:

Gaasite Maswabi of Mas-Pro (Pty) Ltd., a small furniture-manufacturing firm-based in Pilane, says the show is doing a lot in terms of exposing his business to potential customers.

Maswabi, who is exhibiting for the second time, says he realised a significant growth in his business after his participation in the show last year, hence his return this year.

Linda Segolodi of Letsatsi Beauty Clinic in Gaborone says they are regulars at the Botswana Consumer Fair.  She describes it as 'the only perfect platform in the country for the small business owner who wants to develop and get massive exposure even from outside the country'.

Meanwhile, judging of the stalls started on Tuesday and prizes will be awarded to deserving exhibitors today in a ceremony where Trade and Industry Minister, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, will officiate.

Despite a slight drop in the number of exhibitors this year, there has been an increase in the number of stalls. The number of exhibitors dropped from 320 last year to 318 this year, while stalls have increased to 517 from 507 last year.

The drop in exhibitors has been attributed to the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Ramotswa and its environs in June.  The animal disease resulted in the cancellation of several district shows and the National Agricultural Show.

'This brought about considerable confusion because people thought the Consumer Fair was also cancelled,' Kutjwe said.  'We had to work hard to re-assure people that the fair was still on.'

In an interview earlier in the week, Kutjwe said despite the country still reeling from the global economic downturn, they expect visitors to come in large numbers.

'I don't think the recession hit us that much,' she said.  'Last year, while still in the middle of the recession, we managed a record 62 480 visitors. We anticipate this number to increase at this year's show.'

International exhibitors are from Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Japan.  'We have paved the walkways and added a new eating area so our visitors may enjoy their meals conveniently,' said Kutjwe.