Former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba has called on the nation to preserve its national identity and ensure that future generations are proud, united, and patriotic.
The former First Lady was speaking at Eenhana Constituency's Annual Cultural Festival held at Onakaale Combined School in the Ohangwena Region.
"As a nation of diverse cultures, unity remains and will forever be the central feature of nation-building. Our convergence here today must enhance our understanding of each other as one people."
Pohamba added that cultural festivals allow people to demonstrate and share their traditional practices more openly and closely, putting aside their political and social status and displaying a high level of tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding.
The Chairperson of the Ohangwena Regional Council, Erickson Ndawanifa, emphasised the importance of balancing the usage of languages in schools to preserve culture.
"Some schools restrict learners from speaking their vernaculars on school premises but rather speak English. Let us promote all languages equally for us not to lose our culture and traditions. Languages carry the pride and identity of the nation."
In a speech read on her behalf, Ohamba of Oukwanyama Traditional Authority Martha Nelumbu appealed to the nation to embrace and uphold culture.
"Although we live in a fast-developing world, culture and traditions should be conserved. I am grateful for this event and others of the same nature, for they are reviving the love of culture in our future generations."
Omukwaniilwa of Ondonga Shuumbwa Nangolo, in a speech read on his behalf, shared the same sentiments as other speakers.
"For you to be a purposeful nation, you should know your roots. Know where you came from. Be obedient to your elders and enquire more about your culture, because if you do not know your origin, you will not know where you are headed."
Various cultural groups participated in the competitions under different categories, with Haimbili Haufiku Cultural Group emerging as the overall winner of the festival.