Staff Reporter
THOUSANDS of Catholics — and many non-Catholics — from all corners of the country flocked to Oshikuku town in the Omusati Region, where the centenary celebrations of the local Roman Catholic mission station took place this past weekend.
The festivities began on Friday with an evening Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Liborius Nashenda, followed by a social evening featuring several choirs.
PICTURED: Centenary celebrations were held at the Oshikuku Catholic Mission station this past weekend. 
PICTURED: Centenary celebrations were held at the Oshikuku Catholic Mission station this past weekend. 
PICTURED: Centenary celebrations were held at the Oshikuku Catholic Mission station this past weekend. 
PICTURED: Centenary celebrations were held at the Oshikuku Catholic Mission station this past weekend. 
PICTURED: Centenary celebrations were held at the Oshikuku Catholic Mission station this past weekend.
Saturday’s events started with a Mass celebrated by Father Willem Eita, followed by the main celebratory activities, which included prayer sessions, award presentations, cultural performances, and speeches. One of the speeches was delivered by the Head of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, Chief Herman Iipumbu, whose paternal grandfather, King Iipumbu yaTshirongo, permitted the establishment of the Catholic mission station in his jurisdiction in 1924.
Previously prevented from entering what was then Owamboland, Catholic missionaries were finally granted permission in 1924 on the condition that they limited their missionary work to the Uukwambi and Ombalantu tribal areas.
Following the establishment of the Oshikuku mission station, two other stations were set up at Okatana (Uukwambi) and Anamulenge (Ombalantu).
Today, the Catholic Church is the second-largest Christian body in Namibia — after the Lutherans — with over 300,000 adherents, led by one archbishop, two bishops, and 71 priests.
