Never forget where you come from - Nujoma

KENYA KAMBOWE

Founding President Sam Nujoma says the younger generation will forget where they came from if they keep on neglecting cultural norms and practices.

He says lately parents are giving their children Western names and some spend most of their time abusing alcohol at cuca shops instead of staying at home teaching their children about culture.

Nujoma was speaking on Saturday at the Omagongo Festival held at Onamega in the Omusati Region.

“One of the common practices in our culture is naming our children with at least one name in our mother tongues with a specific meaning, message or remembrance of an event of a hero or a heroine,” said Nujoma.

“However, lately only foreign names are bestowed on our children. How will we know where we came from if we don’t talk about the names of Samuel Maharero, Iipumbu Ya Tshilongo, and Mandume Ya Ndemufayo? It is a pity that nowadays parents do not spend time with their children but rather utilise most of their time abusing alcohol at cuca shops and bars, especially the fathers.”

Nujoma said it was equally disturbing to come across children who cannot speak their mother tongue, saying it is a practice that must be discouraged because the mother tongue is very important.

“For this reason, the younger generation is forgetting and ignoring the significance of embracing our culture because of lack of proper cultural guidance to know how they are, where they come from and where they are going,” Nujoma said.

He called on traditional leaders to continue promoting cultural heritage and instilling norms and values in the youth.

“A nation that respects its cultures and traditions will always create a strong national unity and identity,” Nujoma said.