A total of over N$600,000 was raised in pledges at the launch of this year's Copper Festival in Tsumeb.

The festival is slated for the 1st to the 4th of November.

Since its inception 20 years ago, the Copper Festival has developed to become a premier marketing event on the town's social and economic calendar.

Different corporate companies and the business fraternity at Tsumeb came together to pledge to support the event.

The Development Bank of Namibia's Head of Marketing and Communication, Jerome Mutumba, says, "The financial support gathered today will contribute towards a series of planned activities, such as the business conference, that will bring industry leaders together to share insights and best practices. We also have a youth conference that will empower the next generation of our entrepreneurs and an SME training day to equip small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools they need to thrive. We are encouraging entrepreneurs to take advantage of the presence of DBN."

Established businesses, vendors, SMEs, and local and international exhibitors will participate in the festival.

In recognition of the essential role agriculture plays in the region, a farmers day will also be featured at the festival.

Dundee Precious Metals, the main sponsor, pledged N$250,000, followed by Standard Bank N$110,000, and First National Bank put forward an amount of N$105,000.

Tsumeb Municipality pledged N$100,000.

Dundee Director for Sustainability & Business Trans, Barcelona Tsauses, says, "We as Dundee are committed to building a legacy that secures a successful future for our beautiful town, Tsumeb. We envision a community where prosperity is obtained and sustained, and this can only be achieved through collaboration and partnering with our communities."

Victoria Kapenda, the CEO of Tsumeb Municipality, says, "We are truly excited to be in partnership with stakeholders, strategic partners, and most notably our sponsors. It is widely acknowledged that collaboration is "essential to expediting development across the spears of government and ensuring and fostering economic diversification."

Bank Windhoek and the Development Bank of Namibia each pledged N$20,000, while CENORED pledged to provide free electricity for the duration of the festival.

Other businesses, such as Tuliveva Fishing, MTC, Agri Bank, and Prosperity Group, also pledged to support the Copper Festival.