Amuyagele wins the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off 2022

After three preliminary rounds, and with over 500 aspiring chefs taking part in this years’ Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition, Ebben-Ezer Amuyagele from the northern town of Okahao, was crowned this years’ Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition champion.

The soft spoken 33-year-old Amuyagele could not contain his excitement after he was capped the winner after beating out eight other competitors at the final which took place at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, on Saturday, 27 August 2022.

The competition which commenced in May this year, saw chefs vying for the sought-after title of Kapana champion and the benefits that come with winning the competition. Amuyagele walked away with a fully furnished mobile kitchen trailer worth over N$100 000, a Nedbank account with N$10 000 and a Bakpro Vetkoek voucher to the value of N$5 000.

Amuyagele who initially heard about the competition in 2016, says there was hesitancy on his end to enter because he felt he could not win. “When my friend told me about this competition about six years ago, I was not ready to take it on. When he convinced me to consider taking part in the competition again this year, I applied to take part in the northern round, and then the rest is history,” Amuyagele stated.

He thanked the sponsors and the organising committees for this event which aims to uplift small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in Namibia and encouraged current Kapana vendors and aspiring chefs to take part in the competition next year.

“I advise all my peers to take part in the competition. I would not have made it if I did not get that entry form and worked to make sure I get to this point, and I know for a fact, you can get there too,” Amuyagele concluded.

Modestu Fenivamwe from Windhoek came in second place and received a Nedbank account with N$7 000 plus a Bakpro Vetkoek voucher to the value of N$3 000. Ester Silas who also hails from Windhoek came in third to win herself a Nedbank account with N$5 000 and a Bakpro Vetkoek voucher to the value of N$2 000.

Economy

In attendance at the prize giving ceremony was the Nedbank Africa Regions Managing Executive, Dr Terence Sibiya, who reiterated the importance of fostering positive relations in the SME market.

“It is going to take a collective effort to reinvigorate the economy and Nedbank has committed itself with its purpose to make sure it will contribute to attaining that goal. From our perspective, we are proud to be associated with initiatives like the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition which positively shape the SME communities and bring pride to us as Africans,” Sibiya stated.

Nedbank Namibia’s Communications and Public Relations (PR) Manager Selma Kaulinge at the prize giving ceremony gave the background of the competition which started eight years ago at the Ongwediva Trade Fair.

“Returning to the birthplace of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition after the two-year hiatus prompted by Covid-19, one can sense the reignition which gives new breath to the competition. After the three preliminary rounds in the coast, central and northern regions, we are extremely honored to have the final of this competition where it all began eight years ago. I would like to thank our co-sponsors, tonight’s winners and all the finalists who made the eighth edition of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition one for the books,” Kaulinge mentioned.

Nedbank Africa Regions Managing Executive, Dr. Terence Sibiya; and Nedbank Namibia Managing Director, Martha Murorua; handed over the prizes to the winners and congratulated them on a phenomenal job done.