The organising committee of the Rundu Annual Trade Fair says it takes pride in contributing to young talent development in the two Kavango regions and the town of Rundu in particular.
Its Chairperson, Fransiska Thikerete-Kupembona, says 21 artists from the regions were given the opportunity to display their talent at the ongoing expo.
The Rundu Annual Trade Fair returned this year after two years of absence, and Rundu-based performers were hoping to grace the stage and also make an income in the process.
However, Thikerete-Kupembona says the budget allocated for entertainment only allowed a few artists.
"I would like to confirm that we have King TeeDee and then we have 4x4 Too Much Power. Those are the only artists that are lined up for performances during our trade fair, and I would like to indicate that the local artists we have in total are more than 20, including those that have never performed before and those that have been performing but we still categorize them as not class A. I don't want to say they are not good, but they are not known, and this is an opportunity for them to come and showcase their talent."
She was responding to some local artists who said the organising committee sidelined them while giving chances to artists from other towns.
"As we see most events happening outside our region, our own artists here in Kavango, be it West or East, are not being invited to go showcase their talent, but then why are our organizers always inviting people from outside to come to take the little resources we have," said John Mitu, Spokesperson of the Kavango Local Artists.
The artists claim that this is not the first time they have been overlooked at the trade fair and other events organised in the town.
Entertainment started on Tuesday evening, after the official opening of the expo, and musical concerts will continue until Saturday.
The organising committee of the Rundu Annual Trade Fair says it takes pride in contributing to young talent development in the two Kavango regions and the town of Rundu in particular.