Windhoek, Sept 23 — The final 3 places in the 2026 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off Competition were secured during the central round at Soweto Market in Windhoek on Saturday, 19 September, completing the line-up for the national final.
A total of 53 contestants took part in the final regional round. They began with a salsa preparation stage before the top 10 progressed to the kapana round, where they prepared their dishes for a judging panel from the Namibian Chefs Association.
The contestants were assessed on hygiene, taste and preparation skills. The judges also considered presentation, authenticity and creativity in preparing kapana. Rauha Simon, Elizabeth Ndaako and Nande Chivela were named the central round winners and will represent the region at the national final.
Speaking after the prize-giving, Rauha said qualifying for the final gave her an opportunity to compete against
kapana vendors from other parts of the country.
“I’m excited to have made it to the final. I’ve been working towards this opportunity and I’m grateful to see that effort pay off. Last year I did not make it through, but I came back and tried again. I want others to know that they should not give up if things do not work out the first time. Keep pushing, keep improving and come back stronger,” she said.
The central round followed qualifying events in Swakopmund and Oshakati. It was the final opportunity for contestants to qualify for the national final, where nine regional winners will compete for the 2026 title.
Selma Kaulinge, Nedbank Namibia Manager: Communications and Public Relations, said the competition is about about creating pathways for informal entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses.
“The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off serves as a bridge between the informal and formal economy, providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their businesses, strengthen their commercial skills and gain exposure to new opportunities for growth. Through initiatives such as this, Nedbank is supporting the development of small businesses by encouraging standards, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. We believe that when informal traders are empowered to formalise and expand their operations, they contribute meaningfully to economic growth, job creation and stronger local communities.”
The winner of the national final will receive a fully furnished food trailer valued at N$150 000 and N$10 000 in a
Nedbank account. The prize also includes a N$5Â 000 Bakpro voucher and an Agra ProVision short course.
The runner-up will receive N$7 000 in a Nedbank account and a N$3Â 000 Bakpro voucher. The third-place finisher will receive N$5 000 in a Nedbank account and a N$2 000 Bakpro voucher.
The final will bring together coastal round winners Asnath Vetamunisa, Laura Egumbo and Meameno Ntinda, who qualified in Swakopmund on 1 August. Northern round winners Lucia Gideon, Saima Shipululu and Loise Imvula will also compete after securing their places in Oshakati on 29 August. They will be joined by central round winners Rauha Simon, Elizabeth Ndaako and Nande Chivela. Fidelia Jonas, who finished fourth in the northern round, secured the tenth and final place after recording the highest fourth-place score across the three regional rounds. The 10 finalists will compete for the 2026 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off title in Windhoek on 3 October.
