Keetmans unveils karakul statue

LUQMAN CLOETE at KEETMANSHOOP KARAKUL farmers in the South gathered at Keetmanshoop yesterday to celebrate the centenary of the karakul pelt industry in Namibia.

The centenary celebrations yesterday began with a parade through the town to where a special monument was unveiled to mark 100 years of karakul farming. The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nickey Iyambo, unveiled the karakul statue on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.Iyambo also commissioned Karakul Fifth Avenue, the street in which the monument is located.The statue depicts a Nama shepherd holding a newborn lamb and a full-grown karakul ram.The bronze sculpture is a little more than life size, at two metres tall.The sculpture was designed by 23-year-old sculptor Christina Salvodi.Speaking at the centenary celebrations, Iyambo implored young people to take up the challenge of farming, especially karakul farming.He said karakul pelts, also known as ‘black diamonds’, made a valuable contribution to the country’s economy.The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nickey Iyambo, unveiled the karakul statue on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.Iyambo also commissioned Karakul Fifth Avenue, the street in which the monument is located.The statue depicts a Nama shepherd holding a newborn lamb and a full-grown karakul ram.The bronze sculpture is a little more than life size, at two metres tall.The sculpture was designed by 23-year-old sculptor Christina Salvodi.Speaking at the centenary celebrations, Iyambo implored young people to take up the challenge of farming, especially karakul farming.He said karakul pelts, also known as ‘black diamonds’, made a valuable contribution to the country’s economy.