NAMIBIA Breweries yesterday launched the annual Oktoberfest, where authentic German traditions are celebrated with local beer and German food and music.

It will take place at the Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) grounds in Olympia on October 26 and 27.

Once again the Kirchdorfer, a traditional Oktoberfest band from Munich, Germany, will entertain the crowd along with Sturtzboch Musi, also from Germany.

"The Kirchdorfer is one of the official bands at the world famous Munich Oktoberfest and they have performed there since 1994, usually 16 to 18 days non-stop," said Norbert Wurm of NBL, who is a member of the Oktoberfest organising committee.

Namibia hosts the only Oktoberfest on the African continent.

NBL will brew a special Festbier which will only be available at the Oktoberfest.

Traditional Oktoberfest activities like beer lifting for the ladies, log sawing and nailing for the men will be on offer.

Last year, 3 123 people attended the Oktoberfest and consumed 243 pork knuckles, 2 025 portions of Sauerkraut and over 7 000 litres of beer.

"Our aim is to make the Oktoberfest the biggest in Southern Africa, an event that will not only be for Namibians, but will also put Namibia on the map and encourage people to travel to our country in October," said Wurm.