Bukalo, Zambezi Region. 25 July 2026.
Statement by Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the Masubia Cultural Festival, held under the theme “Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, Celebrating Our Future”.
Director of Ceremonies;
Munitenga Gilbert Muhongo Mutwe, Moraliswani III, Chief of the Masubia Traditional Authority;
Honourable Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Speaker of the National Assembly;
Honourable James Sankwasa, Minister of Urban and Rural Development;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers Present;
Honourable Dorothy Kabula, Governor of the Zambezi Region, and other Governors Present;
Honourable Regional and Local Authorities Councillors;
Esteemed Religious, Traditional and Community Leaders;
Members of the Masubia Community;
Members of the Media;
Fellow Namibians.
First and foremost, on behalf of the Government and the people of Namibia, I extend our congratulations to Munitenga Gilbert Muhongo Mutwe, Moraliswani III, Chief of the Masubia Traditional Authority, on his ascension to the highest office in the Masubia community. May you hold the trust and confidence of the Masubia community with honour and dignity.
In the same vein, I thank Moraliswani III for inviting me to join this significant event, the Masubia Cultural Festival, which celebrates our cultural heritage.
Director of Ceremonies,
Today’s event is being held four days after the Masubia community commemorated the passing of the late Chief Kisco Liswani III, five years ago. Chief Liswani led the Masubia community with honour and dedication, advancing the ideals of peace, unity and nation-building.
To honour his memory and legacy, let us stand and observe a moment of silence.
Director of Ceremonies,
At this point, let me express my gratitude for the presence of Litunga Mamili, Chief of the Mafwe Traditional Authority; Joseph Tembwe Mayuni, Chief of the Mashi Traditional Authority; and Boniface Shufu, Chief of the Mayeyi Traditional Authority, who are gracing this occasion, thus demonstrating the unity of purpose of our nation.
I am also pleased to see visitors from other Traditional Authorities and regions who have come to Bukalo to celebrate the Masubia Cultural Festival.
Furthermore, I acknowledge with great appreciation the fraternal co-existence with our neighbouring countries. I therefore welcome our esteemed traditional leaders and their delegations from the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of Zambia.
Director of Ceremonies,
A cultural festival embodies our collective identity, values and traditions, enabling the transmission of stories and customs across generations. The Masubia Cultural Festival is crucial for both the Masubia community and Namibian society, reconnecting people with their roots, showcasing rich traditions and promoting mutual respect among diverse groups.
As the saying goes, a nation without culture is not a nation. Against that background, our diverse cultures must be a source of our national identity, strength and inspiration, and at no point should they be used to divide us. As a nation, our well-being and existence lie in our unity.
The Masubia Cultural Festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the Masubia community through traditional Chusubia dances, music, attire, food and storytelling. By its very nature, cultural festivals promote the transfer of indigenous knowledge across generations and foster intergenerational awareness and appreciation of a rich and proud heritage.
The festival serves as a platform for children and young people to learn about and preserve their culture, ensuring the continuation of customs and traditions for future generations.
I therefore express my heartfelt appreciation to the Masubia community for reviving this festival after a six-year hiatus. This revival is not only a source of pride for the Zambezi Region but also a symbol of hope for all Namibians. It embodies our shared resolve to protect and honour our cultures.
This Cultural Festival aligns seamlessly with the Namibian Constitution, which enshrines the right to culture and encourages the preservation and development of our diverse heritage. It also resonates with the Eighth Administration’s priority areas, including youth empowerment and the creative industries. Culture is not a remainder of the past but a vibrant pillar of our present and future.
Furthermore, it supports the goals of NDP 6 and our long-term national vision, Vision 2030, by fostering unity, promoting tourism and creating opportunities for cultural entrepreneurship. We must use our culture as a foundation for innovation and development. Cultural tourism can be strengthened by developing tourism routes based on our diverse cultural heritage.
Director of Ceremonies,
Today’s event is more than ceremonial; it also acknowledges the Masubia people, who completed a major historical transition from Central Africa to present-day Namibia under the leadership of King Itenge, who headed the Masubia Traditional Authority around 1570.
The Masubia Traditional Authority and its community also supported our anti-colonial struggle and continue to uphold our constitutional democracy and unitary sovereignty.
As we mark this occasion, it is fitting to pay tribute to all the gallant sons and daughters of this great region who contributed to Namibia’s independence and nation-building.
Freedom fighters such as Bredan Simbwaye, Greenwell Matongo, Richard Kapelwa Kabajani, Fredrick Matongo and many others sacrificed their lives to secure Namibia’s independence so that all citizens could live together in harmony and contribute to, and benefit from, our country’s development. Inclusivity remains key to our democracy and sustainable development.
Owing to this revered generation of leaders, Namibians today enjoy freedom of movement locally and beyond. Citizens of Namibia and Botswana can now travel between the two countries using only their national identity documents instead of passports.
Director of Ceremonies,
Celebrated under the theme, “Preserving our Cultural Heritage, Celebrating our Future,” this festival highlights the need to safeguard our cultural identity while adapting to the realities of modern life. It also underscores the importance of preserving our cultural heritage while preparing for the future in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and technological advancement.
I understand that the festival also ensures that our younger generation learns about farming and fishing practices as sustainable livelihoods. This helps equip future leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to strengthen food security, both at household and national levels.
I therefore call upon the Namibian youth to take such events seriously and learn from their elders about the best practices for life: respecting themselves, their peers and their elders; being productive and hardworking; and supporting fellow citizens.
I welcome the festival’s efforts to equip young people with knowledge of conflict resolution. In times marked by increasing conflict and geopolitical tensions, future leaders must be able to use their cultural values to maintain peace and order within their communities.
We must unite as “One Namibia, One Nation” to reject any violence rooted in political, cultural or ethnic differences. Once again, our diverse cultures must always remain a source of inspiration, strength and unity.
I also encourage our Traditional Authorities to partner with universities, schools, historians, museums and research institutions to document languages, customs, traditions, leadership history, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices, thereby preserving our heritage as a permanent contribution to Namibia’s history and development.
This important undertaking will not only preserve a rich cultural legacy for future generations but also provide valuable educational resources that deepen our understanding of Namibia’s diverse heritage while strengthening national unity and identity through mutual respect and appreciation.
Director of Ceremonies,
As you may know, youth employment and the creative industries are among our seven priority areas for development. The Government remains committed to strengthening these sectors, recognising them as engines of innovation, social cohesion and sustainable development.
We continue to create an enabling environment through supportive policies and targeted investments, ensuring that artists and cultural practitioners thrive and contribute meaningfully to our national development agenda. Hence, the establishment and operationalisation of the Youth Development Fund.
The Zambezi Region plays a significant and strategic role in the development of our nation. It continues to attract tourists through internationally recognised attractions such as Bwabwata National Park, Nkasa Rupara National Park, and the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers, among others.
In addition, the region is rich in natural resources, including strategic minerals, and is positioned as one of Namibia’s food baskets. Namibia’s development journey will be incomplete without the Zambezi Region, particularly in agriculture.
To address challenges such as unemployment, especially among our youth, Government has adopted a deliberate policy of value addition to our natural resources, including agro-processing. For us to succeed, every Namibian must embrace this policy and play their part, no matter how small.
In this context, the Eighth Administration calls upon stakeholders in the agriculture sector to collaborate and ensure that every seed planted translates into food production.
I am pleased to note that many farmers, including those participating in our Green Scheme projects, have worked hard and achieved a good harvest this year. However, the main challenge, particularly for grain producers, remains milling. I encourage our people to continue investing in agriculture. As Government, we are working to put mechanisms in place to ensure that your produce does not go to waste.
This region is surrounded by water and is often affected by flooding. This year, we relied on the floating bridges in Kabbe South and Kabbe North. The Zambezi Regional Council has since removed and stored them for future use should flooding occur again.
However, some parts of the region continue to face water shortages for both human and animal consumption. Government is working diligently to address this challenge because we all know that water is life.
Director of Ceremonies,
This festival embodies the spirit of “One Heart, One Mind”—a nation united in purpose, progress and pride.
As Head of State and someone who places great value on our traditions and customs, I continue to urge all Traditional Leaders to prioritise the welfare and development of their communities.
I implore our Traditional Authorities to explore meaningful and sustainable solutions to challenges such as land disputes, chieftaincy disputes and other misunderstandings confronting their communities.
I am concerned about the growing number of succession disputes being brought before civil courts instead of being resolved through customary law. We must recognise that allowing traditional succession matters to be determined by civil courts risks weakening, if not undermining, our cultural norms.
In this regard, I welcomed the recent coronation of Hompa Bartholomeus Aruita Kayoka, Chief of the VaGciriku Traditional Authority in the Kavango East Region, in accordance with the community’s cultural norms. This stands as a testament to the strength of our traditions and to the unity and prosperity of our people.
The Government will continue strengthening collaboration with Traditional Authorities to foster unity and good governance throughout our country.
Our diversity must remain a source of strength and unity as we work together to transform Namibia into a prosperous and united nation.
Let us stand together as proud stewards of our past, active participants in the present, and visionary architects of our future.
As I conclude, I once again commend Munitenga Gilbert Muhongo Mutwe, Moraliswani III, and the Masubia Traditional Authority for reviving this festival—an achievement that will occupy a special place in the history of our country for current and future generations to appreciate.
I also applaud the organising committee for ensuring the success of this festival. In doing so, you have created an opportunity for the Masubia community to unite and engage with their Chief.
I wish you all a peaceful, enjoyable and fruitful festival.
Let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of national development while upholding the values of unity and peace.
Long live the Masubia Cultural Festival!
Long live the Spirit of Unity!
Long live the Republic of Namibia!
I thank you.
