THE Keetmanshoop municipality has announced that it only sponsored the venue for the planned Nama cultural festival, contrary to widespread media speculation that it is spearheading the planning of the event.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Dawn Kruger, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the institution has also granted the festival’s organisers a slot during the public-private dialogue (PPD) workshop to create awareness of the planned festivities.
The municipality is planning to meet the festival’s organising committee to discuss further logistical arrangements and any other assistance that might be needed.
“We want to make it clear that we welcome any community initiatives that can positively influence the local economy, notwithstanding the political or religious affiliations of the organisers,” she stressed.
The planned Nama cultural festival has drawn criticism from some quarters, who claim that it was politically and tribally motivated.
The festival’s organising committee’s spokesperson, Antonio Stuurman, has strongly dismissed the suggestion, saying the core purpose and focus of holding the event is to unite the Nama people, and to promote and preserve their rich cultural heritage.
“The suggestion is completely unfounded and baseless. Our common ground was to revive and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Nama people,” he added.
Stuurman said the festival’s organising committee, which mainly consists of youth, is an autonomous body, and was not affiliated to any political party or religion.
He said a delegation from the diaspora is expected to participate at the festival, and anyone identifying with the Nama language and culture.
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