Value diverse cultures and traditions - Geingob
President urges youth to learn from elders
The president has praised cultural festivals such as the Omagongo Cultural Festival for playing an important role in educating and instilling strong moral values in young Namibians.
President Hage Geingob has urged the traditional authorities and organisers of events such as the Omagongo Cultural Festival to act as key stakeholders in instilling discipline and strong moral values in the Namibian people, especially men and youth.
Geingob said the country is witnessing a worrying increase in alcoholism, gender-based violence (GBV), crime and drug abuse, especially among young people.
"Therefore, in a society afflicted by negative social deviance, we want to see cultural festivals such as the Omagongo Cultural Festival play a prominent role in educating and instilling strong moral values in our young people in particular and the communities in general," he said.
United understanding
The president’s remarks were read on his behalf by vice-president Nangolo Mbumba at the festival on Saturday at Ohamautsi in the Anamulenge constituency.
The festival took place under the theme 'Omaango, Oufia Wetu/Omaango, Our Heritage – Omagongo uuthiga wetu, wetweni atuheni'.
"Together, as a nation, let us take part in all our cultural activities and enlighten the young generations to value the importance of our diverse cultures and traditions. Culture is a vital element in any nation’s existence, development and future prosperity. Therefore, let us remain united in our cultural diversity. By so doing, this will lead us to truly embrace the true meaning of One Namibia, One Nation," Geingob said.
He said the festival symbolises unity because it brings together traditional authorities, communities and individuals from all the regions of Namibia.
"This cultural festival serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and the transmission of customary norms and traditions to the younger generation. Therefore, this event represents the extent to which culture can unite communities and promote understanding within the wider Namibian nation," Geingob said.
Learning from elders
He called upon all citizens, especially the younger generation, to become active participants in this festival and other cultural events and to learn and embrace the culture and traditions, because the lack and absence of proper cultural guidance leads to not knowing who they are, where they come from, and where they are going.
"We therefore desire to see many of our young people flock to join the Omagongo Cultural Festival and many other cultural festivals taking place in various parts of our country. It is at events of this nature that our young people come to learn more about their cultures and the cultures of their neighbours, to learn from the elders respect, character and good moral behaviours," Geingob said.
Traditionally, the Omagongo festival runs from February to May, depending on the harvesting of the marula fruit. This year, Ombalantu Traditional Authority's Elenga Oswin Mukulu and his wife, Omunyekadhi Rakel Mukulu, hosted the event.
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Geingob said the country is witnessing a worrying increase in alcoholism, gender-based violence (GBV), crime and drug abuse, especially among young people.
"Therefore, in a society afflicted by negative social deviance, we want to see cultural festivals such as the Omagongo Cultural Festival play a prominent role in educating and instilling strong moral values in our young people in particular and the communities in general," he said.
United understanding
The president’s remarks were read on his behalf by vice-president Nangolo Mbumba at the festival on Saturday at Ohamautsi in the Anamulenge constituency.
The festival took place under the theme 'Omaango, Oufia Wetu/Omaango, Our Heritage – Omagongo uuthiga wetu, wetweni atuheni'.
"Together, as a nation, let us take part in all our cultural activities and enlighten the young generations to value the importance of our diverse cultures and traditions. Culture is a vital element in any nation’s existence, development and future prosperity. Therefore, let us remain united in our cultural diversity. By so doing, this will lead us to truly embrace the true meaning of One Namibia, One Nation," Geingob said.
He said the festival symbolises unity because it brings together traditional authorities, communities and individuals from all the regions of Namibia.
"This cultural festival serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and the transmission of customary norms and traditions to the younger generation. Therefore, this event represents the extent to which culture can unite communities and promote understanding within the wider Namibian nation," Geingob said.
Learning from elders
He called upon all citizens, especially the younger generation, to become active participants in this festival and other cultural events and to learn and embrace the culture and traditions, because the lack and absence of proper cultural guidance leads to not knowing who they are, where they come from, and where they are going.
"We therefore desire to see many of our young people flock to join the Omagongo Cultural Festival and many other cultural festivals taking place in various parts of our country. It is at events of this nature that our young people come to learn more about their cultures and the cultures of their neighbours, to learn from the elders respect, character and good moral behaviours," Geingob said.
Traditionally, the Omagongo festival runs from February to May, depending on the harvesting of the marula fruit. This year, Ombalantu Traditional Authority's Elenga Oswin Mukulu and his wife, Omunyekadhi Rakel Mukulu, hosted the event.
[email protected]
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