Pandureni Combined School hosts second cultural festival

PANDURENI , 09 AUG (NAMPA) - Pandureni Combined School in Ncuncuni Constituency of the Kavango West Region on Friday hosted the second edition of its annual Cultural Festival.
The festival, held under the theme; “Echoes of Our Ancestors, Voices of Tomorrow,” transformed the school grounds into a vibrant cultural showcase, with students creating welcoming displays, preparing traditional food, and producing artistic exhibitions entirely through their own efforts and without external funding.
Principal Naimi Nakunipa emphasised the deeper meaning behind the celebration.
“We are not only here to celebrate our diversity, but to honour the rich cultural heritage that has shaped who we are,” she told the gathered crowd.
“Unity is not just a professional concept that we read in books, but unity is part of African culture found in proverbs, our gatherings, our shared meals and communal spirits,” she added.
Kavango West Deputy Director for Lifelong Learning, Herbert Karapo, stressed the educational importance of cultural engagement.
“Cultural engagement strengthens education and creates inclusive, dynamic and connected learning environments,” he said during the official opening.
Karapo urged schools not to view culture as optional but as “essential to the holistic development of communities and the nation at large.”
Ncuncuni Constituency Councillor, Leopoldine Nseu, highlighted concerns about language preservation, calling on local language teachers to take their role seriously.
“We should not be comfortable with our children calling us mommy and aunties and pronouncing words in English and mixing languages especially at homes because it’s killing our own languages,” she warned.
Leader of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, Alfons Kaundu, who officially opened the festival, encouraged community members to respect all cultural aspects, including traditional dress codes.
Principal Nakunipa outlined ambitious future plans for the school, including the development of the campus into a heritage site for cultural tours and expanding agricultural programmes with the local Massivi community.
(NAMPA)
JLN/HP