The Ondonga Tradional Authority is capitalising on the burial sites of former Ondonga kings and the Kangonde Salt Pans for tourism.
These heritage sites scattered across the Ohangwena region offer visitors a glimpse into the lives of local people. From salt pans to everyday activities like the preparation of traditional cuisine around a fire and pottery making showcase the life of the Ondonga people.
Senior councillors Fillemon Kauluma says the authority has partnered with the government in preserving cultural heritage and norms throughout the region.
“Within the Ondonga Traditional Authority we have many heritage places, one is the Kagonde Salt Pans that we have preserved with the collaboration with ministry of environment and tourism,” he says.
However, Kauluma discourages the growing number of young people leaving rural areas for towns and cities, which is leading to the rise of urban expansion encroaching on communal land.
He calls on the traditional authority to initiate woodwork and craft projects for the youth and cultural development programmes to keep young people rooted in their communities.
“We must create more opportunities for the youth to stay within tribal areas. The towns are becoming more and more. They are encroaching on communal land. So we should discourage that,” he says.
