KEETMANSHOOP – The Nama Cultural Festival committee chairperson Dirk Eigub says the Festival last week reminded them that the strength of the Nama people has never depended on comfort, approval or external validation.
Rather, it depended on their resilience, faith and willingness to rise for themselves. He also said despite challenges from forces aiming to create division amongst them, the nation is strongly relying on the advice from their ancestors, who understood that nothing stands without foundation, as a people can only survive when their identity survives.
“This year, the festival was not without challenges since support that was once promised fell away; institutions we hoped would stand with us chose not to do so, yet despite this, we stand here today, united, determined and successful,” he said.
Eigub continued: “Through the grace of God, sacrifices and dedication of ordinary people who refused to give up on our culture, the 7th Nama Cultural Festival became a reality.”
Referring to ancestors, he said their words reminded Namas that unity does not require the erasure of identity, since celebrating it should not be a threat to national unity in many ways but rather the foundation to it. “The responsibility to preserve our language, empower our youth, uplift our communities and protect our identity belongs first to us, as we must stand up and invest in ourselves and take ownership of the future,” he urged his fellow compatriots.
In his contribution, when delivering the keynote address during the event, the chairperson of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association, Gaob Dawid Hanse, described the Nama nation as one that has endured several heartfelt, difficult circumstances. “This was a nation that fought wars against the imperial colonialists at times, depending on only what nature provided us for nutrition and exposed to harsh climates and droughts, but we never gave up hope to fight for freedom,” he said.
He then reminded those present that, as a people standing together in unity, it is impartial that they should respect their leaders. “As we send our children out to upgrade themselves with vocational and educational skills, we should always, as the elders, install and impress upon them the critical aspect of living out and demonstrating their cultural values and heritage without fear or favour in all their endeavours,” the traditional chief strongly emphasised in his speech.
Hanse urged the Nama community to heed and respect their leaders to ensure a shared understanding on key issues. He said the time had come for the community, including its youth, to unite in discussions on the genocide agenda and present a common position on expectations for the reparation talks.
When welcoming all present, Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi regarded the cultural festival as more than just a gathering of celebration but rather a living expression of the Nama history, traditions, language and values that have shaped generations. “It is further a reminder that culture is not preserved only in memory but is something lived, practised, shared and lived on,” she stressed.
The town’s first citizen continued, ‘’This festival serves as a bridge between generations where elders share wisdom, traditions are honoured, stories are remembered and young people are inspired to embrace and carry forward the rich legacy entrusted to them.”