07 Aug 2019

The Herero people are one of the tribes that are committed to upholding their cultural values and embracing their culture, hence their efforts to promote and preserve it.

Recently, as a way of promoting and showcasing their culture, the Baherero, Banderu and Bahimba from Botswana and Namibia converged at a cultural festival in Xaudum settlement in Okavango Sub-district.

The event was characterised by song, dance, food and the flamboyant attire of both Herero men and women 

It was organised by HEMBAHI Culture Promotion Club, an association comprising Herero speaking tribes based in Gaborone, which was started in 2016.

Speaking at the festival, Okavango MP, Bagalatia Arone said such events were a platform for people to redefine themselves and see what could be the cause of a decline in cultural values. He said any region in the country, could only be developed by its native sons and daughters.

Therefore, Arone commended HEMBAHI Culture Promotion Club for their efforts to promote and preserve culture adding that preservation of culture could not be the sole responsibility of government.

Arone, who is also Minister of Basic Education, noted that government had made a commitment that soon mother tongue education would be introduced in schools adding that he believes the introduction of mother tongue education and community radio stations would never divide the nation.

He however said one thing the country had achieved was to unite people through the usage of a unifying language, which is Setswana.

HEMBAHI public relations officer, Heskia Diarwa said the association was formed upon the realisation that the Herero culture was slowly declining, adding that people abandoned their culture and adopted foreign cultures.

He said people should give their children mother tongue names as way of preserving their culture.

Diarwa also said the association advocates for the introduction of mother tongue education. Baherero paramount chief from Namibia, Advocate Vekuii Rukoro encouraged Baherero, Banderu and Bahimba to stay united, noting that there was no difference between the three tribes. “We are one people, one culture, one language and one nation. We should remain united here in Botswana just the way our forefathers were united,” he said.

He also commended and supported the idea that the two nations, Namibia and Botswana intended to introduce usage of national identity cards at borders instead of passports. ENDS