KATIMA MULILO – Despite interruptions brought by the advent of Covid-19, the Zambezi Bream Cultural Festival and Expo is back with a bang. 

It attracted exhibitors from corporates to individual vendors, who for the past five days have been showcasing their products in style.

The expo started on Sunday, and is expected to end tomorrow.

It was last held in 2020 due to Covid-19, which brought businesses to a standstill, with dusk to dawn curfews imposed to mitigate its spread. 

Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu during the official opening of the expo on Tuesday urged all exhibitors to use the opportunity to connect with potential customers and organisations.

He said these have the arms to assist in growing their industries for sustainability.

“The Zambezi bream we brag about should be expanded from being word of mouth to a trading brand. I see great achievement at this expo. I desire to see the Zambezi bream engraved and positioned as one of our entry points one day,” Sampofu said.

This year’s festival is being held under the banner: ‘Zambezi Bream, the Symbol for Unity in Diversity and Economic Growth’. 

He also called on all participants to unite in diverse cultures, as well as bring the knowledge together and build the Zambezi region that “we aspire to see developing.”

“Let us embrace our internal and external exhibitors so that they may comprehend what the region can offer. If we give them the assured support, security and peace, those from outside will surely come and invest in the region. Allow me to call our young people to come and learn how others are doing it so that they can venture into doing businesses, refrain from illegal activities and we can have a well-mannered society,” he said. 

He then applauded the Katima Mulilo Town Council for hosting the expo. 

Katima Mulilo mayor, John Ntemwa, said the expo is more than just an event. 

“It is a testament to the unity, resilience, and vibrant spirit of our community. Today, we celebrate not only the delicious Zambezi bream, a symbol of our abundant natural resources but also the diverse cultural traditions that make our town unique. This festival is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our fishermen and women who contribute tirelessly to our local economy and food security, as well as the artists, performers, and cultural custodians who keep our heritage alive,” he noted.

Ntemwa added: “I am particularly thrilled to see the return of this festival, which was last celebrated in 2020. The break brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging period for all of us. The absence of the festival was felt deeply, as it is an event that brings joy, togetherness, and a sense of community pride.”

-anakale@nepc.com.na