Omaludi festival fundraising gala raises nearly N$500 000

The Omaludi Agricultural Festival continues to cement its status as a vital engine for the local economy, raising N$497 200 during its gala dinner held at Okongo on Saturday.

The Ohangwena region event, which serves as a boost to the main festival in May, saw a massive show of support from the business community and individuals alike. 

The 5th edition of the festival is set to take place from 25 to 30 May under the theme ‘Agriculture and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth’. It is anticipated that around 110 exhibitors and over 5 000 visitors will take part in the flagship event.

Leading the charge was Hangala Foods, which was the biggest donor after pledging N$50 000 toward the festival’s success.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Anselm Marungu, delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. 

The president, who serves as the patron of the festival, was unable to attend.

In the speech delivered on the president’s behalf, Marungu described the festival as the backbone of the local economy since its launch in 2018. 

"This festival is more than an event; it embodies our identity as a people and our ability to transform dreams into achievements," he noted.

He added that the gathering allows the community to preserve traditional knowledge while showcasing the resilience of Namibian farmers. 

Marungu emphasised that while agriculture feeds the nation, tourism serves as a mirror that shows the world what Namibia has to offer. 

He stressed that these two sectors are the keys to solving the unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth. 

Attractive work

The president's speech also called for a shift in how young people view farming, urging them to move away from seeing it as an old practice and instead embrace it as a path to economic emancipation. 

"Young people can become the solution to unemployment through innovation," Marungu stated, encouraging the youth to bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern technology. 

Addressing farmers directly, the deputy minister commended their commitment to national food security despite the challenges of global warming. 

He urged them to invest in modern techniques and plant resilient crops to survive the changing climate. 

The evening concluded with a call for the private sector to continue investing in rural initiatives. 

The president is expected to officially open the Omaludi Agricultural Festival on 27 May in Okongo. 

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