The Zambezi Region on Monday joined the rest of the country in launching Namibian Heritage Week, running from the 15th to the 19th of September.

Heritage Week provides an opportunity for all Namibians to celebrate the country's natural and cultural heritage.

Speaking on behalf of the Zambezi Governor, the Regional Director for Education, Innovation, Sports, Arts and Culture, Alex Sikume, said each year's theme will be expressed in an indigenous language, as part of efforts to promote pride in Namibia's cultural diversity.

The theme for this year is "Vahindi Verambi lye Chizo Cetu" in Subia, which translates to "Torch Bearers of our Heritage" in English.

Sikume stressed that culture remains an important tool in transmitting values and traditions across generations, but warned that modernisation continues to threaten African identity.

"The main challenge we have is the clash between African culture and modernisation. As Africans, we are running away from our cultural practices, and as a result, our culture is labelled by ourselves and others as backwardness, or some say we are not civilised, but I want to advise and encourage each one of us that one thing that we can do is to jealously safeguard our cultural heritage."

He said safeguarding it can be achieved through documentation, research, preservation, identification, enhancement, transmission and revitalisation of cultural practices.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, is encouraging communities to celebrate Heritage Week with activities that include showcasing traditional foods and wearing cultural attire.