Governor Ndevashiya exhorts Namibians to take pride in preserving culture

Maria David

A NATION without its own identity is a lost nation. It is, therefore, important for people to celebrate and commit themselves to protecting and promoting their culture for the benefit of future generations.

For that reason, Namibians from all walks of life and from all corners of the country are this week participating in the Heritage Week to celebrate culture and natural heritage.

The week-long celebration of culture kicked off Monday under the theme “Unity in diversity” and lasts till Sunday.

Heritage week is an opportunity for Namibians to celebrate their heritage and is at the same time an encouragement to people to keep culture alive and to pass it on to future generations.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at Eenhana Tuesday, Ohangwena Regional governor Walde Ndevashiya said that the week is aimed at celebrating Namibia’s rich and diverse heritage and to promote the safeguarding and protection of all cultural heritages in Namibia.

Ndevashiya said that the celebrations serve to demonstrate, in practice, that all forms of cultural heritage in Namibia are valued and recognized as equal in their importance.

“We want to promote understanding across diverse communities of the communal value of heritage,” he said.
He added that heritage gives people pride in their identity.
“You cannot know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are coming from,” he said.

Further, Ndevashiya stated that this week will encourage people to experience the beauty of their cultural diversity or to visit a different part of the country to experience its natural wonders.