CULTURAL tourism has become a sought-after activity by many travellers around the world, and in an effort to promote the Aawambo culture, the John and Penny (J&P) Group this weekend added the Endjala Traditional Village to its operations.
On Friday, the group opened another establishment, Shikamasha Lodge, near the Etosha National Park. The village was officially inaugurated by environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, and is located at Okapya near Ondangwa.
Although there is an addition to the operations of the company, which was established in 1995, the group’s executive chairman, John Akapandi Endjala, also announced that two of their major business operations will be closed. He said this is to allow the company to focus on leisure, as well as property development and management.
The company’s food production under the brand Top Foods has factories and butcheries at Ondangwa and in Windhoek. This was one of the group’s largest divisions, employing hundreds of people. The catering services operations will also close, but to avert job losses, the company is negotiating with other investors to take over the businesses.
Citing cultural beliefs and tradition as components close to his heart, Shifeta said this kind of tourism revives the cultural and traditional practices which were long forgotten.
He said the village will now offer an opportunity for locals to demonstrate their traditional knowledge to visitors. This initiative will complement existing tourism products to fully render the Namibian experience in welcoming tourists, he added.
“It is my hope that J&P will collaborate with the elders in the community to make this homestead a hub of genuine cultural tourism in the northern regions. We are not only to teach tourists about our culture, but also our children the traditional ways of life,” Shifeta said.
The establishment will have 10 traditional rooms and camping facilities, which will offer a real-life experience of the Aawambo culture. – tuyeimo@namibian.com.na
