It was a moment of tears of joy and disbelief as a young woman from Windhoek was last night announced the winner of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off edition of 2023.
The 27-year-old Ester Silas emerged from hundreds of kapana contestants who this year took part in the competition in the northern regions (Oshakati), coastal regions (Walvis Bay) and central regions (Windhoek).
Yesterday afternoon was the final, where the top three from Oshakati, top three from Walvis Bay and top four from Windhoek came together and competed at Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
Each one was given 45 minutes in which to produce a dish of kapana (made out of meat, chicken feet, and oondangu), while Bakpro was on hand to provide the vetkoeks for the dish since kapana and vetkoek go together.
In the end Chef Philip, Chef Alina and Chef Eli who were the judges announced three ladies as the best kapana cooks in Namibia for this year.
But everyone had to wait for the evening, where the overall winner of the competition was announced out of the three.
Ester walked away with a fully-furnished mobile street vendor trailer worth N$100,000 and cash of N$10,000 as well as a vetkoek flour hamper worth N$5,000.
In second place was Loise Iimvula from Oshakati who received a cash prize of N$7,000 and a vetkoek flour hamper also worth N%$5,000. While in third was Laura Egumbo from Walvis Bay who received a cash prize of N$5,000 and vetkoek flour hamper worth N$5,000.
“I am excited, super excited,” gushed Ester.
For Ester this is the beginning of a new journey and new opportunity in her life since she just lost her job in April. “I would like to tell everyone to try. This opportunity will come again next year.”
The competition, in its ninth year, was co-sponsored by Nedbank Namibia, Bakpro, Agra, and Omulunga Radio.
In the photo: The super-excited kapana queen Ester Silas talking to the media.
