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A mutual love for kapana

Ester Kamati

The 2019 edition of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-off was launched on 10 May.

The launch was hosted by Matthew Kapofi and included demonstrations by kapana vendors who have been in the business for years.

Wanaheda bus stop kapana vendor Jonathan Bock shared his technique with the audience.

He said key is making a lovely salsa to go with the kapana.

Various media teams, who competed on the day, were judged on elements such as flavour and hygiene during their preparation processes.

They were judged by members of the Namibia Chefs Association. All the ingredients were provided by the various sponsors, including Namib Mills and Pick ‘n Pay, with the meat being provided by MeatMa, a subsidiary of Meatco.

The three categories for the launch were best-dressed, which was awarded to Base FM, best team spirit, scooped by the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa), and the overall winner was Touch FM.

Marycent Kashuwa, a radio presenter at Touch FM, said the win meant a lot to the team, considering they are a new radio station.

She mentioned they had a secret ingredient in their salsa which made it stand out. They also served their kapana with pap, making it a full meal.

“I think the judges really liked the creativity and authenticity behind the idea. The presentation was also aimed at giving individuals that feeling of home and comfort”, she said.

Nedbank head of marketing and communication, Gernot de Klerk, said the main aim when the competition was initially introduced was to ensure that kapana transcends the negative societal barriers commonly associated with it, and to ensure that it makes its way onto the menus of the best restaurants and hotels in the country.

“It’s about making sure that kapana gets its deserved place as part of the Namibian fabric,” De Klerk said.

The competition will kick off with preliminary rounds in northern Namibia on 15 June. Thereafter, the central rounds will commence in Windhoek on 29 June, followed by the coastal rounds in Walvis Bay on 13 July. Gobabis, which was only added last year, is scheduled to host the eastern preliminary rounds on 27 July. De Klerk said there are plans to take the competition to the south in the future, to ensure inclusivity.

The finals are scheduled to take place in Ongwediva for the first time in the history of the competition on 24 August. The Nedbank Kapana Cook-off competition entry forms are available at all Nedbank branches for anybody who believes that they can be the next champion.