Rehoboth — A total of 350 participants consisting of 25 culture groups from 11 towns within the Hardap Region participated in this year's Hardap Culture Festival.

The Rehoboth Urban West Constituency Councillor, Theo Diergaardt, in his keynote address encouraged participants to continue partaking in cultural activities for nation building, while establishing processes and networks that require developing Namibia's material and spiritual culture.

Diergaardt requested participants to strive to establish and maintain links beyond Namibia's borders. He further advised local authorities to foster development agreements with foreign nations and include cultural exchange programmes as one of such modalities.

According to him, Namibians should preserve the uniqueness of their cultural identity as a nation and promote their national cultures because culture is such an important aspect in the lives of the Namibian community.

Diergaardt also applauded the Hardap cultural office for ensuring Namibian representation at the 2nd Pan African Culture Festival in Algeria during July this year, as well as producing the National Cultural Festival winners in Rundu. Also for representing the region at the signing of the Cross-Border Agreement in Oranjemund plus representing the Hardap Region at the National Independence Celebration in Keetmanshoop earlier this year.

He commended the cultural office for establishing 15 school culture clubs for development at selected places throughout the Hardap Region.

The Ratanang Culture Group from Mariental and Maiteko Culture Group from Aranos won joint first place in the Senior/Youth category, while Ama Buruxa Culture Group from Maltahöhe won the 1st prize in the Junior Secondary category.

The !Oanob Primary School from Rehoboth scooped the first prize in the Lower Primary section, while the Edward Frederick Primary School took the first prize in the Upper Primary category.

!Unisen Culture Group from Kriess won the Adult category.