The Chief of the Mafwe Traditional Authority has called on the Namibian government to actively form partnerships aimed at development and employment creation.

In a speech read on his behalf at the annual Lusata Cultural Festival over the weekend, Litunga George Simasiku Mamili VII said he was ready to sign agreements that would ensure the production of raw materials in the country, along with more jobs. "Feasibility studies were done that show that Namibia can produce sugar. The time has come to enter into informed partnership agreements to start a sugar industry in Namibia."

He urged the government to consider building local factories to add value to raw materials, both in the Zambezi Region and elsewhere in the country.

This includes furniture made from timber and mango production. "We need to discourage foreigners from exploiting our natural resources. We need our government to join forces with us to develop our region, create jobs, and broaden the tax base in order to increase national revenue." 

The Mafwe Traditional Authority hosted its annual festival after three years of not doing so, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

Speaking at the occasion, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba noted the traditional authority's role in initiating development projects, adding that the government, through the "growth at home strategy", works to ensure the realisation of such projects.

Mbumba applauded the traditional authority for promoting unity with other traditional authorities, nationally and within the SADC region. "I therefore call upon all the traditional authorities in this region to be on a forefront to pursue unity, nation building and reconciliatory approach at all times.  We desire to see the traditional leaders of this region and their subjects continue visiting each other, consulting each other on matters of mutual concern, and promoting peace and understanding between themselves at all times."

This was in reference to traditional leaders from the Masubia, Ondonga, Zambia, and Botswana traditional authorities who were present on the occasion.

The governor of the Zambezi region, Alufea Sampofu, also called for additional support for traditional chiefs, who he said play a crucial role in linking communities to the central government. "As a government, we should strengthen the relationship between traditional chiefs who serve as a link between their communities and the central government, in order for the local communities to play a vital role in local governance."

The festival was held on Sunday at the Mafwe Tribal Authority headquarters, located in Chincimani.