The Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Faustina Caley, has called for more collaboration and innovation in the preservation of the country's cultural heritage. 

She said this while officiating at the Bom Jesus shipwreck exhibition at Jasper House Museum in Oranjemund. 

The Bom Jesus shipwreck, a Portuguese trading vessel constructed in the 1950s, was found by a Namdeb employee in April 2008 near Oranjemund. 

Various artefacts, including gold and silver coins, tonnes of copper, zinc, and lead ingots, large quantities of ivory, navigational equipment, and personal possessions that were found in the shipwreck, are now on display at the Jasper House Museum. 

"To everyone who contributed to making this project a reality today, your dedication and your passion have made this moment possible. And for that, we are truly grateful. Together, let us continue to safeguard our history, let us continue to celebrate our culture, and build a future where every Namibian can take pride in their heritage." 

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, says the international significance of the Bom Jesus cannot be overstated. 

"Namibia's commitment to preserving underwater heritage is enshrined in the 2001 Unesco Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, to which Namibia is a signatory. Dear learners, you should remember that, and you must do further research in that regard. This Convention underscores our responsibility to protect and manage our underwater heritage sites, not only for historical and cultural significance but also for the potential to contribute to understanding humanity's shared history."

Also speaking at the occasion were Oranjemund Mayor Elias Kasemba and OMDis General Manager Tony Bessinger. 

The Bom Jesus shipwreck is currently being preserved in saltwater tanks until it also goes on display in a dedicated museum.