OKAHAO – President Nangolo Mbumba says there is a growing understanding
that culture and heritage increasingly play an important role in nation-building
by combating marginalisation and fostering inclusivity.
Mbumba made these remarks yesterday during the official opening of the Ehao Expo at Okahao in the Omusati region.
“Culture has proven to be effective in improving the overall well-being
and health of cultural participants as well as consumers,” he said.
This year’s expo is being held under the theme ‘Embracing Business Activities Through Culture and Innovation’.
The cultural expo, which started on Monday, ends on Saturday.
The President emphasised that the expo promotes national culture and
heritage, which is an important tool for augmenting social cohesion, peace and unity.
“The name ‘Ehao’, which means small
clay pot, symbolises community and togetherness. When people come together, amazing things can happen. Community helps us form relationships, find support and gain opportunities that can aid us in advancing our lives and the lives of those around us,” Mbumba said.
He added that platforms such as the Ehao Cultural Expo play an instrumental role as social threads that bind communities, provide a sense of belonging, and enable the sharing of personal experiences to support citizen growth and health.
“It is through initiatives like the Ehao Cultural Expo that we can proudly declare Okahao as the ‘home of rich heritage’. Our heritage is a treasure that must be protected and preserved for future generations.”
He stressed the importance of youth understanding and appreciating their
origins, stating that people cannot value and care for what they do not know. “At the same time, cultural preservation and economic development must go hand in hand to ensure progress and innovation. All these are
equally important,” he stated.
The President said the expo supports the local economy by giving businesses an opportunity to showcase their products
and services, which encourages entrepreneurship and creates jobs. It also promotes cultural tourism by sharing Okahao’s rich heritage with visitors through exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences.
Furthermore, the expo acts as a marketing tool for the town, highlighting its unique features to a wider audience and attracting investment opportunities, showing that Okahao is an exciting place for business and development. “It is a platform for innovation, a catalyst for economic growth, and a foundation for unifying citizens. Therefore, we should seize this opportunity to celebrate our heritage, support our local economy, and envision a brighter future for the Okahao community, Omusati region, and the country at large,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President noted that this expo, incepted in 2019, comes against the backdrop of the ongoing registration of
voters for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for 27 November this year.
“I take this opportunity to encourage all eligible voters present here, especially the youth in the Omusati region and throughout Namibia, to register before the cutoff date of 1 August, which is hardly a week away,” he urged.
He added that in this way, people will be able to exercise their democratic right and patriotic duty of voting for the party and presidential candidate of their choice, thereby ensuring Namibia continues traversing the path towards further growth as a peaceful, stable and prosperous country.
Similarly, Mbumba said the expo finds them during widespread drought, which has ravaged the agricultural capacity and sustenance of many farmers throughout the country. “The government is doing all that it can to save Namibians and their livelihoods through drought assistance interventions and the provision of emergency food. I hope that this assistance has reached all eligible beneficiaries. If not, please report to the governors’ offices in the regions where you are, as well as the Office of the Prime Minister, so that people who are in real need can be assisted timely.”