PREPARATIONS for the 2017 Olufuko Cultural Festival are in full swing, with 78 young girls having registered and confirmed their participation in the initiation ritual this year.
The Outapi Town Council, in conjunction with Omusati regional and traditional authorities, is hosting the Olufuko Festival for the sixth consecutive year.
Senior manager for local economic development at the Outapi Town Council, Nyeuvo Ekandjo, told Nampa on Tuesday the 78 girls to be initiated this year, eight less than last year’s figure of 86, are all from the Omusati region.
The Ombalantu Traditional Authority will contribute the highest number, with 37 girls, followed by the Ombadja Traditional Authority, with 25 girls.
Other Omusati traditional authorities are to send girls as follows; Uukolonkadhi (9), Uukwambi (5) and two from Ongandjera. They are to be initiated and prepared for motherhood.
“We anticipate that more girls will show up before the commencement of the festival on 25 August,” Ekandjo said, adding that the festival has also attracted 284 exhibitors so far.
The exhibitors will showcase their products and services at the festival.
“The number of exhibitors is also not final because we are waiting for the corporate institutions that tend to confirm their participation at the last minute,” Ekandjo said. Founding President and patron of the festival, Sam Nujoma, will officially open the festival on 1 September. The occasion will also be attended by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
“The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the chief of the Ombalantu Traditional Authority will also deliver speeches during the official opening,” Ekandjo said.
The Outapi Town Council and Standard Bank Namibia remain the main and official sponsors of the festival, respectively.
The festival will run until 5 September at its usual venue, the Olufuko Festival Centre and Traditional Homestead.
– Nampa
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