Staff Reporter
WITH the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and the Elufuko Cultural Festival both set for this month, the Oshana and Omusati regions are preparing to host thousands of traders, performers and visitors for two of the Northern regions’ flagship events.
Both events coincide with the commemoration of Heroes’ Day on 26 August.
The 2026 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair will run from 21 to 29 August at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair Centre.
Under the theme “A Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy”, OATF 2026 is expected to feature hundreds of local and international vendors, corporate enterprises and public institutions showcasing products and innovations.
The 2026 Olufuko Cultural Festival will take place from 24 August to 1 September at the Olufuko Centre in Outapi, under the theme “Our Culture, Our Pride, Our Heritage”. A gala dinner was held this past weekend to kick off the festivities. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 28 August.
In previous years, the two events were held successively, with Olufuko in July and OATF in August. This year, they will run almost concurrently.
The Olufuko dates were moved up to align with the school calendar, as many of the girls to be initiated are of school-going age.
Olufuko is a traditional practice of Aawambo in which girls aged 15 and above are prepared for marriage, motherhood and family life.
The festival was previously held separately by different communities. A unified version was introduced in 2012 by the late Founding President Sam Nujoma, who served as its patron until his death in 2024.
Photos: File
