Placido Hilukilwa
THE Olufuko Cultural Festival, hosted annually by the Outapi Town Council, is taking place for the first time without the presence of its strongest supporter and patron, Founding President Sam Nujoma, who passed away earlier this year.
The business part of the event kicked off on Friday, but the approximately 140 girls who will be initiated will arrive with their parents only on Sunday.
At Olufuko, girls are mentored for adult life, including marriage, pregnancy, and caring for families.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will deliver the keynote address during the official opening ceremony on Friday.
Olufuko organizer Nyeuvo Ekandjo said that this year’s edition of the event recorded the highest-ever number of girls — totaling 138.
On the business side, several corporate entities, public institutions, and small and medium enterprises are showcasing their products and services.
According to Ekandjo, the various categories of exhibitors include Agriculture, Corporate, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Demonstration, and Okapana (all kinds of fried/cooked food and drinks).
She said that the “Demonstration” category is in tandem with the rationale behind the event — namely, the promotion and transmission of knowledge about culture and traditional skills.
Participants in the category demonstrate the traditional ways of brewing beer, distilling liquor, producing edible oils, etc.
Government departments 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.
“We are offering, right here at Olufuko, all the services offered by our regional office at Outapi,” said Aina Simon, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, which has a strong presence at Olufuko with a large tent accommodating its various departments, while the police are hosted in a smaller tent nearby.
Festival gates are open daily from 08:00 to 22:00, with entrance fees set at N$10.00 for children and N$20.00 for adults.
