Usakos — The annual Erongo Regional Cultural Festival, which was held at the town of Usakos on Saturday, has been hailed a success by the organisers and participants.

The festival had a record entry of 500 participants in cultural performances who travelled from as far as Otjimbingwe and Utuseb.

The Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture hosted the festival with the aim of making a contribution towards the promotion and preservation of the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The Kufamosha Pioneers from Walvis Bay won the lower primary category, while the Festus Gonteb Primary School won the upper primary category.

Winners of the junior category were performers from the Dibasen Junior Secondary School at Okohombahe, while the Kubasen Cultural group of Arandis Senior Secondary School won the senior category.

The Kufamosha Cultural Group of Walvis Bay won the adult category.

The winners each received a cash prize of N$1 200, while the runners-up received N$900.

All the winners will take part in the annual national cultural festival that will be held in Windhoek during the first week of December.

"This cultural festival creates a platform for learners of participating schools to embrace Namibia's cultural heritage. The festival is aimed at providing people residing in the region with an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of cultures in Namibia, and more specifically in the Erongo Region," said Gerson Geingob, head of the Multi-purpose Centre at the town.

The festival was held under the theme "One Namibia, One Nation."