LÜDERITZ – Fisheries and Marine Resources minister Derek Klazen said it is only when stakeholders work together through public-private partnerships that they make great progress in their dealings for the common good of society.
He reasoned as such when delivering the keynote address at the 16th edition of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival in the harbour town last weekend.
“I would, therefore, like to thank all individuals and corporates for their contributions and support, making this highly-rated event on Namibia’s social calendar a reality,” said the politician.
Klazen, in addition, urged those corporates who are not yet part of the festival to come on board with financial and material support.
“Festivals of any sort play a vital role in fulfilling needs of increased intercultural dialogue and deepens our understanding of diversity,” said the minister.
He also said it inspires innovations and grows newer audiences who, without the organising of a festival, might not have heard of what residents do in Lüderitz.
Explaining the overall objective for hosting the event, he said it is but one of several initiatives designed to take the town on the right path to achieve sustainable and meaningful economic and social development.
“It is, thus, clear that the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival has become a catalyst for economic and social development in the sense that it supports the tourism/hospitality, retail, transport, banking, SME and grocer industries; thus, opportunities available as a result are endless and should be harnessed on the way forward,” said Klazen.
Speaking about the fact that all accommodation facilities are fully booked every year during the festival, Klazen called upon the town’s leadership to address the challenge to maximise socio-economic benefits for the town and its residents. Also at the event, in a speech read on her behalf, trade and industrial deputy minister Verna Sinimbo said when it comes to the development of towns, it is imperative that stakeholders ensure communities are safe, friendly, healthy and prosperous with high-quality amenities, such as health services, education, shopping, recreation and parks.
“Strategic businesses need to take such interests into consideration when deciding where to invest. To effectively sustain, improve and enhance our society and economy, we have to capitalise on the potential and capacity of Lüderitz to deliver on the long-awaited socio-economic prosperity,” said Sinimbo.