30 Aug 2016

The Ovambanderu paramount chief from Namibia, Kgosi Kilus Nguvauva, has thanked government for the protection, support and guidance that was extended to his tribe when they ran away from the German war since 1896.

He said the Ovambanderu were no longer refugees but full citizens who enjoyed equal rights with Batswana in general.

The chief was officiating at the annual youth festival organised by Mbanderu Youth Association in Botswana (MYAB) in Sehithwa over the weekend.

Kgosi Nguvauva said Botswana and Namibia shared a common boarder and enjoyed cordial relations with the aspiration of fighting poverty and under development in order to promote social development for the nation.

He said the Namibian president’s recent visit to Botswana was meant to strengthen the bilateral relationships between the two countries.

The colourful event attracted Ovambanderu youth from all corners of the country joined by some from Namibia and they had an opportunity to showcase their diverse unique, rich culture through clothing, songs, drama, poetry and artifacts.

This year the festival was held under the theme, “Cultural tourism, the community last hope for success”. Kgosi Nguvauva praised the association for coming up with a brilliant idea of hosting cultural festival which he said it gives them the opportunity to trace their roots and promote preservation of Ovambanderu culture.

He urged the youth to respect the rule of law and always defend and promote the norms, culture and traditions of the Ovambanderu people as well as the constitutions of their countries.

He also appreciated to learn that the government has revised the National Youth Policy for 2010 and adopted a realistic, focused and result oriented approach to youth development.

The overall of the policy he said is to mainstream and promote youth participation in the community and civic affairs.

Kgosi Nguavauva also encouraged the Ovambanderu traditional leaders to familiarise themselves with the government policies frameworks in place so that they could be able to guide youth in an informed manner.

The paramount chief revealed that challenges such as alcohol and drug abuse are a concern both in Botswana and Namibia and urged the leaders and the association to fight all challenges faced by youth.

The chairperson of MYAB, Henda Uananisa said the event is meant to acknowledge all what the Ovambaderu community is made of.

He also said the festival acts as an opportunity for them to revive and exchange culture with other youths, ethnic groups so that they appreciate the uniqueness and the beauty of the Ovambaderu cultural activities.

The area MP, Thato Kwerepe commended the association for organizing the event noting that their efforts are in line with the government mandate of promoting   of culture by all tribes in the country.

He appreciated that the Ovambanderu culture is unique, exciting adding that people could learn a lot to enrich their knowledge and understanding.

He said traditionally, the Ovambanderu communities are pastoralists and believed that they could impart more useful knowledge to the new generation who want to venture into farming in future. ENDS