‘Respect each other’s cultures’

NAMIBIAN people should be proud of their cultural diversity and draw inspiration and strength from it to build a united and better Namibia, President Pohamba has said.

Opening the /Ae //Gams cultural festival organised by the City of Windhoek yesterday, the Head of State said culture was a major factor in nation building. “Namibia is a multi-cultural and multi-racial society comprised of people from different backgrounds.This is part of our national identity and we must be proud of our different cultures because they are mutually reinforcing in the process of building a vibrant society,” Pohamba added.”It is for this reason that all cultures should be valued and respected.”A people without culture is like a body without a soul, according to Pohamba.”Culture is the thread that ties and holds our society.It is the foundation upon which we can build stronger communities to ensure future prosperity.”Cultural and traditional practices linked people to their roots and historical past, but were also guidelines for the future towards greater prosperity, democracy, peace and national unity, the President said.The youth of Namibia should stand firmly on a strong foundation of culture and tradition in order to understand and appreciate the importance of our cultural heritage.The annual festival also drew a cultural group from Botswana this year.It ends on Sunday.”Namibia is a multi-cultural and multi-racial society comprised of people from different backgrounds.This is part of our national identity and we must be proud of our different cultures because they are mutually reinforcing in the process of building a vibrant society,” Pohamba added.”It is for this reason that all cultures should be valued and respected.”A people without culture is like a body without a soul, according to Pohamba.”Culture is the thread that ties and holds our society.It is the foundation upon which we can build stronger communities to ensure future prosperity.”Cultural and traditional practices linked people to their roots and historical past, but were also guidelines for the future towards greater prosperity, democracy, peace and national unity, the President said.The youth of Namibia should stand firmly on a strong foundation of culture and tradition in order to understand and appreciate the importance of our cultural heritage.The annual festival also drew a cultural group from Botswana this year.It ends on Sunday.