Staff Reporter
VICE President Lucia Witbooi has called on traditional leaders and communities to use culture as a tool for promoting unity, preserving heritage and driving economic development, while reaffirming government’s commitment to supporting development initiatives in the Zambezi Region.
Speaking at the annual Batshara Cultural Festival in Sangwali, Witbooi said cultural festivals play an important role in strengthening national identity, fostering peace and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
Addressing the gathering under the theme “Our Rivers, Our Life, Our Heritage”, she said the Mayeyi people’s close relationship with the region’s rivers reflects the importance of protecting both cultural traditions and natural resources.
Photos: Vice President of Namibia (Facebook)
“For the Mayeyi people, rivers are far more than geographical features. They are the lifeblood of communities, sustaining livelihoods, shaping traditions and connecting generations,” she said.
Witbooi encouraged young people to take pride in their cultural heritage and learn from their elders, saying traditions help instil values such as respect, hard work and responsibility.
She urged Namibians to embrace the country’s diverse cultures as a means of strengthening national unity and overcoming social, political and economic challenges.
The Vice President also called on traditional authorities across Namibia to continue promoting peace, reconciliation and cooperation.
“We are one Namibia, one nation. Let us guard against divisive elements such as tribalism, regionalism and racism,” she said.
Witbooi commended the Mayeyi Traditional Authority for pursuing community development initiatives and said government welcomed its invitation to partner on projects aimed at improving livelihoods in the region.
She highlighted proposals for Green Scheme projects, tourism development, rice production and other agricultural initiatives, saying they have the potential to create jobs, reduce poverty and strengthen food security.
“The Zambezi Region has the potential to become Namibia’s food basket and one of the country’s leading tourism destinations. Government will work tirelessly to help make this a reality,” she said.
Witbooi added that agriculture remains one of government’s priority sectors under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration as part of efforts to promote food self-sufficiency and economic growth.
She also welcomed the Mayeyi Traditional Authority’s priorities of expanding cultural education programmes, improving market access and entrepreneurship opportunities for artisans and food vendors, and establishing a community archive to preserve songs, dances and oral history.
Witbooi called on local authorities, non-governmental organisations and private sector partners to support these initiatives, saying collaboration would help improve the livelihoods of the Mayeyi community and contribute to the broader development of the Zambezi Region.
