KEETMANSHOOP – President Hage Geingob said Namibia’s unique cultural kaleidoscope forms the building blocks of the Namibian house, and it is imperative that cultural values unite rather than divide the nation.

President Geingob, during the official opening of the 2022 Annual Nama Cultural Festival on Friday, in an address delivered by Christine llHoebes, minister in the Presidency, reminded festival goers that they are at the festival primarily to celebrate their cultural diversities as Namibians and Africans at large.  

The annual festival was celebrated under the theme ‘Unity is our strength’.

“Our various cultural groups consist of the bricks that make up the structure of the Namibian House, and the unity amongst these groups is the mortar which firms up the foundation upon which we have established the Republic of Namibia,” he explained. Geingob added that through the celebration of cultural festivals, all Namibians can enhance their capacity to understand and acknowledge the critical aspects of their cultural diversity and appreciate how their various cultures make them more united and stronger as a nation.

Geingob continued that it has been said before that culture can be compared to the oil that keeps societies running.  “In addition, belonging to a culture provides people with a sense of identity, purpose and belonging,” he said.

He also said events like this one provide the nation with a special occasion, where they can celebrate a set of values and norms that form part of the unique cultural kaleidoscope of Namibia.

“As Namibians, we should ensure that our respective cultures should lead to the fostering of a better understanding amongst all our people,” the President advised.

He furthermore reasoned that the answer to solving one’s problems and achieving your aspirations lies in unity and the holding of hands across all cultural lines.

He said, since the Namibian house narrative is predicated on the pillar of unity, Namibians should take ownership of it, irrespective of background or political affiliation.

“In celebrating the Nama Cultural Festival, let us learn to appreciate culture as a force that should unite us and use our diverse cultures to combat the superimposed influences that keep us apart and render such negative beliefs, emotions and ideas to the dustbin of history,” Geingob concluded.

In her contribution, //Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said Namibia has a fascinating diversity in culture, which splits the country into 11 ethnic groups. “This requires tolerance from us to accommodate people from different social settings to maintain our motto ‘One Namibia One Nation’ towards unity in diversity, which represents culture and nationhood,” she added.

Frederick reasoned platforms such as these create an opportunity to engage in a dialogue toward the preservation of cultural heritage.

“It is this platform that allows us to understand where we come from, and to understand very important details of our traditional and cultural practices,” she added. The governor also said culture is the essence of a vibrant society, expressed in the many ways how people relate to each other, tell their stories and celebrate as well as remember the past.  

“Let us, thus, all work together to promote and enjoy our rich cultural heritage and capitalise on its potential to promote economic development and enhance national cohesion,” she said.

In her remarks, deputy education minister Faustina Caley said cultural events are human pinnacles that bring to force the identities of a nation. “It is at cultural festivals where people gather to demonstrate and share their traditional practices more openly,” she added.

She also described the festival as an exercise defined by the direct involvement of citizens without coercion by government and other forces.

Valerie Isaacks, chairperson of the event’s organising committee, said despite all challenges facing the Namibian nation, they shall be victorious when united and striving towards a common destiny.

“We must take ownership of this festival and guard that we remain united in celebrating and preserving our cultural heritage,” she called upon the attendees. Isaacks concluded that, by doing so, it can lead to socio economic prosperity, cohesion and the development of people on all fronts.  

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na