23 Jul 2015

The principal youth officer at the North West District, Ms Gladys Kelebemang, says although many people celebrate their culture, some are not alive to its economic benefits.

Officiating at the Otjiserando Omzu Jo Vaherero annual event in Tsau over the weekend, Kelebemang implored the Baherero to explore the commercial value of their culture.

She said the Herero organisation, Otjiserando Omzu Jo Vaherero, can harness aspects of their culture to create employment opportunities and fight poverty.

She pointed out that culture has become an integral part of tourism through annual events, which attracts people from across and outside the country. She said the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture funds annual events which promote culture through organisations such as Poetavango, Kamanakao Association, Otjisrerandu and Ovabanderu, among others.
Kelebemang noted that the Ngamiland has a rich diversity of cultural art forms.

She observed that the youth office in the North West region has many artists in various categories who qualified for the finals of the President’s Day Arts Competitions in Gaborone.

She said the artists presented works that were unique to Ngamiland.

She further implored the Baherero to keep preserving their culture. Ms Kelebemang said government wanted to revive culture and ensure that it benefited the people.

For his part, Kgosi Ebineng Potsoeng of Tsau advised the Baherero to be united lest divisions reverse efforts to preserve their culture.

He encouraged them to reflect on why the annual event recorded a reduction in attendance this year. Ends