KEETMANSHOOP – The 2023 edition of the Nama Cultural Festival (NCF) should aim to unite residents, irrespective of race, culture or political ideology in the //Kharas region and the country at large.
This was the mutual views of both //Kharas regional governor Aletta Frederick and NCF organising committee chairperson David #Eigub.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, Frederick said: “This festival should create the ideal platform to spread the message of unification in words and deeds”.
She said it should also be the time now for those who will visit the event to put away their differences and join hands to experience and enjoy various cultures, traditions and values to be showcased during the festival.
The festival is set for Keetmanshoop from Thursday to Sunday, with the official opening taking place Friday morning, starting with a march from the B1 bridge in the southern town.
Frederick also said attention should be paid at the event to how best to solve traditional authority challenges, particularly that of the recognition of chiefs.
“Traditional authority leaders should also be willing to talk about and contribute to relevant issues like the discovery of green hydrogen and crude oil reserves when present at the event,” she expressed.
The governor added that through this, they can heed President Hage Geingob’s call for inclusivity so that no one is left out and residents in the region benefit equally from the prosperous economic foresight of wealth creation.
“The envisaged Nama Cultural Festival should in principle strengthen and inform our youth to build on the rich traditional values and cultures our ancestors left them,” she said.
Frederick then called on //Kharas residents to turn up in big numbers at the event as a means to learn and appreciate diverse cultures and traditions.
On his part, #Eigub said the central theme for this year’s festival is to let the fire of unity burn and unify the Nama community through culture.
“We will this time around focus on empowering and educating the Nama boy-child on getting more knowledge about his tradition, culture and values, for if you empower a boy-child, you empower a community at the end,” the chairperson emphasised.
He also said the festival will look into how to revitalise the indigenous cultural roots, which is the benchmark on how the Nama tribe operates.
In terms of what to expect that is different from previous festivals, #Eigub said a Nama-speaking linguist will talk about the literature of the Nama-Gowab language, an expert will be speaking on the importance of tertiary education, pertaining to socio-economic aspects of indigenous people, and traditional leaders will update the community on the progress of the Nama-Ovaherero genocide, have agricultural discussion on the role small livestock play in the lives of the Nama community as well as discussions on how cultural tourism can be the gateway to wealth for indigenous people.
“As in the past, exhibitors will showcase and sell traditional attires, medicine and food as a means to promote cultural values and also for purposes of income generation,” he said.
Further entertainment for visitors will see dramas on Nama traditions at the traditional village, musical/gospel performances by local artists and brass bands, performances from Riel dance groups from the Northern Cape Province, as well as horse riding parades.
According to #Eigub, between 5-6 000 visitors, including those from South Africa and Botswana, will be expected for the four days of fun and excitement.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na