Gaob Dawid Hanse has called on the Nama community to embrace and protect their cultural identity.
He made the call during the official opening of the 7th edition of the Nama festival in Keetmanshoop on Friday.
The festival began with a march where numerous people from various towns and villages in the region, as well as from other regions, gathered in solidarity.
They were accompanied by horse riders as they proceeded to the festival venue where the official launch took place.
At the venue, the chairperson of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association, Gaob Dawid Hanse, delivered the keynote address.
"Under the word of Dr Hendrik Witbooi, I want to introduce my message. Let us not disrespect our own heritage, our own history, and fight for what is ours against others that are against us. Don't disrespect your own heritage, your own history, even if you might be surviving or taking a livelihood from someone else, but respect your heritage."
The festival chairperson, Dirk Eigub, said this year's event was marked by many challenges, but the organisers and the Nama community remained committed and worked hard together to ensure the festival's success.
"That reality reminds us of something important: the strength of the Nama people has never depended on comfort, approval or external validation. It has always depended on resilience, faith and our willingness to rise for ourselves, and rise we did."
Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi stated that the municipality understands a cultural festival is more than just an event; it brings together both older and younger generations and, more importantly, contributes to the growth and development of the community.
"Events such as these contribute meaningfully to community cohesion, local economy activity, tourism and the strengthening of social bonds within our town and beyond. Keetmanshoop is proud to host an event of this significance."
The three-day cultural festival aims to celebrate the Nama heritage through visual storytelling, bonfire discussions, indulging in traditional Nama cuisine, and enjoying Nama music and dance.
The event honours Nama identity and promotes the Khoe-Khoegowab language.