Nambawan Café reopens, owner seeks Government support

March 27, 2025 10:12 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Adorina Massing.

After months of uncertainty, Nambawan Café officially reopened yesterday, Thursday, March 27th, following approval from local authorities.

Ivan Oswald, owner of Nambawan Café in Port Vila, spoke candidly about the challenges his business faced after the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck last December.

“I know everyone has seen the video circulating of how the massive earthquake damaged our café last year. We really had a lot of damage,” Oswald said.

He explained that while the building itself remained intact, the kitchen and equipment were severely affected, requiring extensive repairs.

Following the earthquake, Oswald and his team faced the daunting task of cleaning up and fixing the damage before the government lockdown of the Central Business District (CBD), where his café is located, took effect.

He was relieved to report that no staff members were injured, although the Christmas holidays were impacted by the temporary closure.

“During Christmas, every staff member had to take holiday leave until we reopened our temporary setup at Saralana,” he said, noting that this location allowed staff to continue working and earning, though with limited capacity.

“We are glad to operate again at our usual café spot after months of closure,” Oswald shared.

However, he noted that despite the reopening, restrictions in the town remain in place, including limited road access.

“It doesn’t feel normal yet, but we are happy to be back, cleaning up and serving customers, offering another option for coffee in town,” he said.

Oswald also pointed out that while the café is fully operational, parking remains an issue due to restricted roads. He encouraged locals to visit and enjoy the café’s fresh ocean breeze, as the town itself has undergone substantial cleaning, and the park is in much better shape.

Turning to broader concerns, Oswald stressed the importance of reopening the Seafront area, which he views as the heart of Port Vila. “We need businesses and tourists to return, as the Government relies on Value Added Tax (VAT) from tourism,” he remarked. “But so far, I haven’t heard of any support from the Government for small businesses struggling to recover.”

The café owner also acknowledged the financial toll on local businesses, many of which lost stock, customers, and income following the earthquake. “There are places like mine, other businesses in town, that lost everything,” he said, adding that the cost and loss were substantial.

Oswald called on the Government to provide assistance to small businesses, including markets and vendors, who are in desperate need of support to recover and rebuild. “We need new equipment and financial help,” he said. “I hope the Government doesn’t forget about us.”

Despite the ongoing challenges, Oswald remains optimistic about the future and the resilience of Port Vila’s small business community. “We just need a little help to get back on our feet,” he said.