WINDHOEK– A Namibian cultural group, the Kombwana Okomaluvanda is launching their first o Miss and Mr Namibian Culture tonight at the Nice Restaurant.
Kombwana Okomaluvanda means, let’s all meet at the most entertaining event in Oshikwanyama and the group has been initiated by a novelist, Ismael Neumbo, author of Oshikwanyama novels. Neumbo says his organisation has sensed the fading of the Namibian culture in general, and especially among the youth, hence their efforts to try and reverse this trend and uplift the culture by organising different events countrywide the country to attract many audiences and get them back to the cultural roots of Namibia. Thus, the statement that says “A nation without culture is like a journey without a direction,”
Kombwana Okomaluvanda Cultural Group is under the management of this year Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs” award winner in the Best Traditional category, who is now the king of traditional music in Namibia, Emrich Kamati Nangolo, popularly known as Ekanda. “This event will be casting most of the Namibian models contesting for the title and the most interesting part is that, the cultural dressing for the contestant will be compulsory,” says Ismael.
He adds that the event is for all Namibians and all cultural groups are welcomed to take part in this competition.
However, the next event will be hosted at Eenhana in December, and it will be called, Kombwana okomaluvanda annual cultural event.
Ismael explains the meaning of their group slogan as (Okanghatu kamwe kedule ofika) meaning one step is better than standing, which translates that his group is taking it step by step to fully retrieve the culture and make it possible for the new generations to know where they are coming from. Most of the best Namibian traditional artists and groups will be performing such as Kamati, Satlam, Omandengu Cultural Group, Celestino, Monique, Juju Vine and Ama Daz Floor. Doors open at seven o’clock (19h00) and tickets are available for Computickets at N$ 50 and N$ 150 for VIPs.
By Pinehas Nakaziko