Corona bites big events

ILENI NANDJATO

OSHAKATI



The Oshakati town council has postponed the Totem Expo and Exhibition, which was set to take place from 29 May to 6 June.

Meanwhile, the Okongo village council has also called off the Omaludi Festival, which was scheduled to take place from 27 to 30 May.

These announcements are in line with the coronavirus state of emergency, which prohibits mass gatherings.

The Ondangwa town council also previously called off its trade and industrial exhibition, which was set to take place from 27 April to 2 May.



Totem Expo

Oshakati town council spokesperson Katarina Kamari said they decided to postpone the expo until further notice.

Aimed at giving attendees an opportunity to identify themselves within their family lineages, the Totem Expo also allows businesses to exhibit their products and services.

“We do not want to cancel it totally, as we hope to find a suitable date during the course of the year, depending on the Covid-19 situation. If it happens that we cannot find a suitable date, we will cancel it,” she said.

Kamari added the council had also postponed a fundraising gala dinner that was scheduled for 25 April.

Omaludi

The third Omaludi Festival, where farmers from the Northern Communal Areas were set to exhibit their livestock, is a platform where the best farmers and animals are recognised and rewarded.

Okongo village council CEO Wodibo Haulofu said it was unfortunate that they had to cancel this year's event, as it was gaining support from the community and growing in popularity.



Other trade events

Other events set to take place later this year, like the Olufuko Annual Cultural Festival, Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, Eenhana Expo, Oshikuku Trade Fair and Ehao Expo are tentatively still on, with organisers yet to make announcements to the contrary.