Rudolf Gaiseb
THE anticipation is palpable as the sixth edition of the Premium Sports Trading Bet (PSTBet) Windhoek Cultural Festival gears up for kick-off at the Sam Nujoma Stadium from 28 to 31 March.
This year’s festival aims to celebrate Namibia’s rich cultural heritage while providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services.
Spearheading this vibrant event is Sylvester Shapwa, the managing director of the PSTBet Windhoek Annual Cultural Festival. In an exclusive interview with VIBEZ!, Shapwa expressed excitement over this year’s festivities, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event.
“Apart from celebrating Namibia’s diverse and rich culture, the festival creates a platform for young and upcoming entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services it is also a great space for brand leveraging. On this year’s line-up, we have added the ‘Cultural Fashion Show’—an opportunity for young creatives to showcase their fashion design skills,” Shapwa said.
Shapwa said the event continues to play a pivotal role in supporting culture and the contemporary art landscape of the country.
He added that the yearly event is a driving force providing a forum for cultural artists, galleries, collectors, writers, thinkers, and art lovers to engage and share ideas.
“PSTBet Annual Windhoek Cultural Festival is one of the largest festivals in the country, and in 2023, this event attracted more than 12 000 visitors over five days,” Shapwa added.
The festival promises to be a melting pot of creativity and innovation, with entrepreneurs from various sectors given the opportunity to showcase their talents. From traditional crafts and artisanal products to cutting-edge technology and culinary delights, patrons can expect a diverse array of offerings.
As specified by Shapwa, there are no financial strains in the logistics and supply aspects of the event because the PSTBet is the main sponsor and partner of the Annual Windhoek Cultural Festival.
According to the marketing manager of PSTBet, Valdez Hamuyela, the partnership between PSTBet and the Annual Windhoek Cultural Festival includes a three-year contract.
“The partnership includes an amount of N$300 000 per year, over the three-year contract,” Hamuyela said.
Hamuyela also said the PSTBet Annual Windhoek Cultural Festival will be bigger and better this year. “There are many giveaways and prizes. This year’s event will be exciting because it will also cover the Easter weekend. In addition to local artists, international artists are expected to perform at the event,” Hamuleya said.
–rrgaiseb@gmail.com