MP wants N$10m for kapana traders

Republican Party member of parliament Mathias Mbundu has called on the government to set aside N$10 million to help kapana vendors and informal meat traders affected by the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Mbundu says restrictions introduced to contain the disease have disrupted meat supplies and affected traders who depend on daily sales to support their families. He made the proposal during his contribution to the 2026/27 mid-year budget review in the National Assembly. Namibia detected the outbreak of FMD last month. Mbundu says the government must protect the livestock industry but should also consider the financial impact of the restrictions on informal meat traders. He says many vendors rely on selling meat to buy food, pay rent and support their children.

“I, therefore, respectfully propose that the honourable minister consider establishing a once-off kapana and informal meat traders relief fund of N$10 million to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible traders whose livelihoods have been materially affected by the outbreak and the associated restrictions,” he says. Mbundu wants the Ministry of Finance to work with other ministries and local authorities to identify traders affected by the outbreak. He says the government should assess their financial losses, determine how much assistance they need and introduce a simple application process. The proposed fund would help qualifying traders cover household expenses and keep their businesses operating during the outbreak. Mbundu has asked finance minister Ericah Shafudah to consider including the N$10 million fund in the current budget adjustments or find another way to finance it. Last week, Shafudah allocated an additional N$179 million to the Ministry of Agriculture,…