Auleria Wakudumo
Director of National Heritage and Culture Manfred !Gaeb has called on communities to work together to preserve and promote indigenous languages, saying they carry identity, history and traditional knowledge.
He made these remarks during the International Mother Language Day commemoration held in the Guinas constituency in Oshikoto region on Monday.
The two-day event brought together learners, teachers, traditional leaders and community members to celebrate Namibia’s rich linguistic diversity.
!Gaeb stressed that mother languages are more than just a way of speaking. He said they connect people to their roots and keep cultural values alive.
However, he noted that many young people are no longer fluent in their indigenous languages. He also mentioned challenges such as limited learning materials and the growing preference for foreign languages.
The event, organised by the Directorate of education, arts and culture, started at Tsintsabis Combined School and ended at the Guinas councillor’s office. Guinas councillor Moses //Khumub praised the government’s efforts in supporting indigenous knowledge systems.
He encouraged parents and elders to teach children their mother tongues at home and to take pride in their cultural identity.
Oshikoto education director Hilma Nuunyango-George said the region has been commemorating the day since 2022. She added that this year’s focus on Khoekhoegowab reflects the commitment to uplift all Namibian languages.
The celebration featured cultural performances, traditional songs and storytelling sessions about the origins of the Hai//om and San communities.
Young learners confidently performed in their mother languages, showing hope for the future.
The commemoration ended with a strong message that preserving indigenous languages is a shared responsibility. Community members were reminded that keeping their languages alive means protecting their culture and heritage for generations to come.