Niël Terblanché
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare called on Namibians at home and abroad, alongside the private sector and development partners, to support local exhibitions such as the Oshakati Totem Expo.
Speaking at a fundraising gala dinner for the event in Oshakati on Saturday evening, he described these platforms as vital to cultural identity, entrepreneurship, and national unity.
Ngurare stressed the role of expos in driving both social cohesion and economic transformation.
“Let us remember that investing in culture is investing in sustainability. Investing in SMEs is investing in resilience. Investing in expos is investing in unity, visibility and local empowerment,” he said.
The Totem Expo, now set for its 13th edition, has evolved into one of Namibia’s most anticipated trade and cultural exhibitions.
Hosted annually by the Oshakati Town Council, the event provides a platform for small businesses, cultural performers, and major enterprises to engage with the broader public and one another.
Ngurare said the event is a tapestry woven with strands of heritage, commerce, innovation, and unity.
He added that it bridges the past and present and creates space for new ideas and partnerships.
He said initiatives like the Totem Expo are well-aligned with national development frameworks such as Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan, particularly in the areas of youth employment, economic diversification, and cultural tourism.
He also spoke of the need to provide young entrepreneurs with the support and opportunity to develop their ideas, drawing a comparison to a beginner cyclist who falls before mastering the balance.
“Let us give them the space to learn and make honest mistakes; thereafter, they will become successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
The Prime Minister praised the Oshakati Town Council for its commitment to formalising informal settlements and its broader developmental work.
Ngurare urged all attendees at the gala dinner to contribute towards the success of the 2025 Totem Expo.
He said each pledge would help build infrastructure, accommodate vendors, and support logistics and marketing efforts.
Ngurare said the Totem Expo is not just a regional event but a national one.
“Let us support the Oshakati Town Council through the Oshakati Totem Expo, not only because it is hosted in the north but because it belongs to all Namibians,” he concluded.
