Staff Reporter
THE Okahao Town Council’s annual Ehao Cultural Expo and Mayoral Cup is a blueprint of how Namibians can use their skills, heritage and talents to transform their lives and communities, SWAPO parliamentarian Natanwe Ithete said when he delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the 2026 edition on Wednesday.
He said the event represents the very heartbeat of Okahao town’s business ecosystem.
“Through the Mayoral Cup, Okahao is investing in sport for development and boosting the talents of young people. There are talented young footballers, netball players, athletes and other sports enthusiasts in our towns, villages and rural communities who could realise their potential through opportunities such as the Mayoral Cup,” Ithete said.
He said he had attended the event over the years and witnessed its transformation and growth.
He paid special recognition to the Patron of the Expo, Chief Johannes Mupiya of the Ongandjera Traditional Authority, whose presence, he said, reminds Namibians of the enduring importance of traditional leadership in preserving heritage, strengthening communities and guiding future generations.
The theme of this year’s edition is “Building a prosperous town through sports, culture, and opportunities”, which Ithete said resonates with his personal principle of uplifting the standard of life for people through local development.
“Simply put, Okahao cannot develop without us, and we cannot develop without developing local sport, cultural heritage and local trades,” he said.
He thanked the government for the initiative to build a sports stadium in every constituency, including the improvement of the UuKwangula Stadium in the Oshana Region, saying the facilities will cultivate healthy hobbies, nurture talent and keep young people away from alcohol and drug abuse.
Ithete also urged residents to embrace digital tools for tourism promotion, agriculture, creative industries and business administration.
“Let us build bridges between tradition and modernity. Let us build alignment between community and industries,” he said.
The Ehao Cultural Expo and Mayoral Cup 2026 kicked off on Tuesday and lasts until Sunday.
The programme includes exhibition and trading activities, the Mayoral Cup, Oxungi cultural storytelling, a music bash, livestock auctioning and exhibitors’ awards.
Photo: Okahao TOWN Council
