The Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Edda Bohn, said inheritance does not guarantee survival; however, it will reach the next generation depending on what the current generation chooses to value.
Bohn was speaking at a celebration of Heritage Week in Windhoek on behalf of the Executive Director, Mbumba Haitengela.
Bohn further stated that the decisions made now will influence what future Namibians are able to study, experience, understand and consider the past.
"When a young person encounters an archaeological artefact, a historical photograph, a work of art or an object associated with an earlier generation that encounter can make history tangible and make history alive."
Bohn also emphasised that museums serve not only as repositories but also as places of interpretation, inquiry and knowledge acquisition.
"Preservation begins with care for yourself and care for your environment and care for your heritage and culture. Conservation involves specialised knowledge, laboratories, documentation systems, professional expertise, technology and information systems."
Social Science Chief Curator Marina Mubusisi said the initiative unites communities from diverse cultural and social backgrounds by creating opportunities for people to come together and share their histories.
Mubusisi further highlighted that the National Museum Association of Namibia stepped in as one of the strategic partners and expanded events to reach out to Namibia's diverse regions outside of the city.
"Now the heritage week owes its success to the dedicated coordination and cooperation of different custodians, including the communities themselves, the leadership and then the foundation organisation that we actively involved."
Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light Branch Manager in Namibia, Elione Calunga, stated heritage is not only what is preserved, but it is what can be carried and practised.
"Young people are also the custodians of today. If Namibians are to live into the future, young people must not only learn about it, but you must also become it. What does this mean? If our heritage teaches us respect, then let respect be seen in the way we treat each other."