The University of Namibia (UNAM) on Thursday opened its cultural festival aimed at celebrating and embracing cultural diversity.

Opening the three-day event under the theme ‘Embracing 30 years of cultural diversity’ at UNAM’s main campus in Windhoek, Prime Minister Saara-Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said daily life revolves around the practice of culture and it is imperative that UNAM embraces culture and diversity through commemoration.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasised that the enrolment of students across the country, region and the globe provides an opportunity to promote intercultural learning and acceptance of cultural diversity.

“As we celebrate our cultural diversity we need to recommit ourselves to our unity as a culturally diverse nation as Africans and a global community. Intercultural will promote mutual understanding and respect which is important for peacekeeping,” she said.

She indicated that Namibia Vision 2030 can only be achieved through the development of its human resources, therefore the government will continue to support institutions of higher learning and support students financially through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF).

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila further said there is a need to interrogate the role of education in mitigating challenges faced by students such as alcohol and drug abuse, suicide amongst others and how they can harness cultural diversity and optimise national development through researching and developing indigenous knowledge as well as technology.

The three-day event will see students showcase their cultural attires, performance, traditional food and beverages.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency