Maria David
ALL roads lead to Outapi as the highly anticipated Olufuko Annual Cultural Festival officially opens its gates today.
Running until 01 July 2025, this year’s festival promises to be a momentous occasion, celebrating tradition, community, and youth empowerment.
Outapi spokesperson Joolokeni Haidula said that since its establishment in 2012, the festival has grown into one of Namibia’s most significant cultural platforms.
Photo: Outapi Town Council
According to Haidula, this year marks a historic milestone, with 138 girls from across the Omusati Region set to participate in the revered Olufuko initiation ceremony—the highest number of initiates recorded since the festival’s inception.
“These young girls, accompanied by their parents, will arrive at the Olufuko homestead on Sunday,” she said.
She added that under the inclusive theme, “Bringing the service to the people,” the festival continues to attract enthusiastic participation from SMEs and a wide array of public and private stakeholders.
Haidula indicated that organizations offering on-site services and educational displays include the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security; the Office of the Auditor-General; the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology; the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture; the Electoral Commission of Namibia; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform; Tunacor Group Limited (Fishing Industry); Nakayale Vocational Training Centre; NIPILE Vocational Institution; the University of Namibia – Ogongo Campus; and Welwitchia University.
Haidula said that the festival will celebrate the legacy of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma, who believed that “Olufuko is a crucial tool for the preservation of culture for young girls. It is a sign of excellence and a platform to educate the nation about cultural values, norms, and heritage.”
The official opening ceremony will take place next week Friday and will be officiated by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
Festival gates will operate daily from 08:00 to 22:00, with entrance fees set at N$10.00 for children and N$20.00 for adults.
