Mafwe Litunga George Simasiku Mamili, the VII, says the Lusata annual festival is the pride of the community and unity in diversity.

Litunga Mamili was speaking at the Mafwe Lusata annual cultural festival at Chinchimane in the Sibbinda Constituency.

The Lusata festival commemorated since 1981 is a reflection of togetherness among the Mafwe community, where young people are allowed to learn and understand the history of the community. 

Mamili noted that the festival promotes an inclusive and harmonious relationship within the community.

"It brings happiness, cheer, hope, optimism, celebration, light joy, cooperation, and more peace into the lives of the Mafwe community. The Lsuata cultural festival is the celebration of the traditions of the Mafwe community of Namibia; it serves as a living thing of us and preserves and perpetuates the unique cultural heritage of the Mafwe community."

The Mafwe leader said despite the peace and stability enjoyed by residents, drought, lack of electricity, insufficient healthcare facilities, management of wildlife, and other developmental challenges need the government's interventions. 

A leader of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, Dr. Hoze Riruako, who was invited to the festival, commended the Mafwe community for upholding traditional respect, norms, and traditions.

"And our people need to bridge or build on the relationship between our people; there are points when we are living like this and raise issues of mutual concerns, share success stories, and more importantly, learn from one another. I am proud of you; you have kept your tradition intact, which I know and appreciate, and I can tell you I am going to emulate the respect that I am seeing in your area."

Dr. Riruako tendered an invitation to the Mafwe Litunga to attend the Ovaherero community's annual cultural festival next year at Okahandja.