The Mafwe Traditional Authority celebrated the 45th anniversary of the annual Lusata Cultural Festival at its palace headquarters in Chinchimane.
This year's festival was held under the theme "Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage, Unity and Cultural Diversity".
The festival brought together traditional leaders, national leaders and foreign dignitaries from Zambia and Botswana to celebrate Mafwe culture and heritage.
Ngambela of the Mafwe Traditional Authority, Boniface Maemeko, said young people, as the future custodians of Mafwe heritage, have a responsibility to understand their origins and appreciate the importance of preserving their cultural values.
"The Lusata Cultural Festival is a celebration of our culture, tradition, heritage, identity and unity; it provides an important platform for people, especially our young generation, to learn and promote cultural values and traditions passed down to us by our forefathers."
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Royal Family representative Innocent Mahoto, Litunga George Simasiku Mamili VII expressed gratitude to the Namibian Government for development initiatives implemented in the Mafwe tribal area and across the Zambezi Region.
These included the construction of school hostels and classroom blocks at Liselo and Masokotwani, which have helped reduce the distance learners travel to school, as well as healthcare centres with mortuary services.
"These projects demonstrate governments' continued commitment to improving the quality of life of our people and creating opportunities for future generations."
Among the issues raised, the Litunga called for improved access to household water facilities across the region. He also urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform to strengthen support for farmers through improved agricultural extension services, access to farming inputs, irrigation, smart farming methods and training.
Farmers were further urged to prepare for the effects of El Niño and changing climate conditions by conserving water and adopting drought-resistant farming practices.
The Litunga also called on the Namibian Defence Force to strengthen patrols along the borders with Botswana and Zambia amid concerns over stock theft and other cross-border criminal activities.