The revival of the Masubia Cultural Festival after a six-year hiatus is set to become a significant economic catalyst for the Zambezi Region, positioning it as a hub for cultural tourism and creative industries while supporting Namibia’s long-term development goals, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said.
Speaking at the festival held in Bukalo recently, the President emphasised that cultural festivals like this one are not merely ceremonial events but vital economic platforms that can drive entrepreneurship and innovation.
“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,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “It also resonates with the Eighth Administration’s priority areas, including youth empowerment and creative industries. Cultures are not remainders of the past but vibrant pillars of our present and future.”
The President highlighted the festival’s direct contribution to Namibia’s national development agenda, particularly its alignment with the National Development Plan 6 and Vision 2030. These frameworks identify cultural tourism and creative industries as key drivers of economic diversification and employment creation.
“We must use our culture as a foundation for innovation and development,” she stated. “Cultural tourism can be well supported by our cultural diversity by developing cultural tourism routes based on our diverse cultures.”
The economic significance of the Zambezi Region features prominently in the government’s development strategy. The President noted that the region continues to attract increasing numbers of tourists, leveraging internationally recognised attractions such as the Bwabwata National Park, Nkasa Rupara National Park, and the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.
“Namibia’s development journey will be incomplete without the Zambezi region, particularly in the agricultural sector,” she said.
The agricultural potential of the region positions it as Namibia’s food basket, according to the President, who urged stakeholders in the agriculture sector to collaborate and ensure productivity translates into tangible food production.
“I am happy to note that this year many farmers, including those in our Green Scheme, have worked hard and achieved a good harvest,” she said. “However, the main challenge, particularly for grain producers, is milling.”
The government has adopted a deliberate policy of value addition to natural resources, including agro-processing, to address unemployment challenges, particularly among the youth. The President called on all Namibians to “buy into this policy and play our part, no matter how small.”
Youth employment and the creative industry sector are among the government’s seven priority areas of development. President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening these sectors, recognising them as “engines of innovation, social cohesion, and sustainable development.”
“The Government is committed to strengthening those sectors,” she said. “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.”
The establishment and operationalisation of the Youth Development Fund represents a concrete step toward empowering young entrepreneurs in the creative and cultural sectors.
The Masubia Cultural Festival itself serves as a practical platform for skills transfer and livelihood sustainability. The President noted that the festival ensures young people learn about farming and fishing practices as a means of sustaining livelihoods.
“This is to ensure that the next generation of leaders is equipped with the skills and knowledge to strengthen food security, not only at the household level but also nationally,” she said.
Furthermore, the festival’s efforts to equip young people with conflict resolution knowledge align with broader economic stability objectives, particularly in an era of geopolitical tensions that could impact trade and investment.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the strategic importance of the Zambezi Region’s abundant natural resources, including strategic minerals, and its potential to contribute significantly to national economic growth.
However, she also addressed infrastructure challenges that affect economic productivity. Some parts of the region face water problems for both human and animal consumption, a challenge the government is working to address.
This year, the region has had to utilise floating bridges in Kabbe South and Kabbe North, which the Zambezi Regional Council has removed and stored for future use in case of flooding.
The President called on Traditional Authorities to prioritise the welfare and development of their communities, exploring meaningful and sustainable solutions to challenges such as land and chieftaincy disputes that can disrupt economic activities and investor confidence.
She expressed particular concern about the number of succession disputes being brought to civil courts rather than being resolved through customary laws, warning that this dilutes cultural norms.
Welcoming the recent coronation of Hompa Bartholomeus Aruita Kayoka, Chief of the VaGcriku Traditional Authority in the Kavango East Region, in accordance with the community’s cultural norms, she described it as “a testament to the strength of our culture and traditions and to the unity and prosperity of our people.”
The President also acknowledged the presence of traditional leaders from Botswana and Zambia, highlighting the region’s strategic position for cross-border economic cooperation and the potential for regional trade and tourism.
The movement of people and goods between Namibia and Botswana has been facilitated by the agreement allowing citizens of both countries to travel using only national identity documents rather than passports.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah commended Munitenga Gilbert Muhongo Mutwe, Moraliswani III, Chief of the Masubia Traditional Authority, and the organising committee for reviving the festival, an action she said “will have a special place in the history of our country for current and future generations to appreciate.”
The festival’s theme, “Preserving our Cultural Heritage, Celebrating our Future,” highlights the need to adapt cultural heritage to an era dominated by artificial intelligence and technological advancement while maintaining cultural identity.