The fourth preliminary round in the 2024 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition took place in Oranjemund last week Saturday, which marked its first ever stop in the south.
The competition, which is in its 10th year, made it’s made its debut in Oranjemund and saw 30 participants take part in the competition with hopes of qualifying to the final later this month. Three contestants, Rauha Simon, Giovani Matheis, and Ndamonoghenda Heita, secured their spots in the highly anticipated final round and will join Mandume Hasheni, Maria Mumbala, Sxelse Tsamases, Laura Egumbo, Rhonda Baseko, Veueza Kasemba, Johannes Haulondjamba, Petrus Nambili and Hileni Hashipala, to compete for the competition grand prize: a state-of-the-art mobile kitchen valued at N$130 000 on 24 August at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair in the northern town.
The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off, a celebrated culinary competition, aims to recognise and elevate the artistry of Namibia’s beloved street food, kapana. This year’s preliminary rounds showcased the incredible skills and passion of local cooks, who presented their unique takes on this traditional delicacy.
“We are thrilled by the exceptional talent displayed in this year’s competition,” said Nedbank Namibia Communications and Public Relations Manager, Selma Kaulinge.
“The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off not only celebrates our rich culinary heritage but also supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to shine and grow their businesses. The grand finale, scheduled for 24 August in Ongwediva promises to be an exhilarating event where the finalists will showcase their culinary prowess. The winner will walk away with a N$130 000 mobile kitchen, an invaluable asset that will help them expand their business and reach new heights,” Kaulinge added.
Apart from the grand prize of a N$130 000 mobile kitchen, the winner will also walk away with a N$10 000 cash prize in a Nedbank bank account, SME Training programme from Agra Provision worth N$6 000 and N$5 000 vetkoek voucher from Bakpro. The first runner up will walk away with a N$7 000 cash in a Nedbank account and N$3 000 vetkoek voucher from Bakpro, with the second runner up walking away with N$5 000 cash in a Nedbank account, and a N$2 000 vetkoek voucher.
The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off Competition is supported by Bakpro, Omulunga Radio, AGRA, Namibian Chefs Association, and organised by Twafiika Events.