Mafwe Royal Establishment Invites Nation to Lusata Festival

By Kimmie Mikatazo

The Mafwe people in the Zambezi Region, under the banner of the Mafwe Royal Establishment, will once again unite to celebrate their rich cultural heritage at the annual Lusata Festival .

The festival, which brings together all Mafwe subjects and residents of the might Zambezi region, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 28, at the Mafwe Royal Establishment ‘s Palace  in Chinchimane, found in Sibbinda Constituency  about 65 Kilometers,  South of Zambezi Region.

According to the Mafwe Royal Establishment, the Lusata Festival is not only a celebration of tradition but also a reflection on the social, economic, and cultural strides made in advancing the well-being of the Mafwe people and the broader community.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Francis Sikumba, Chairperson of the Lusata Organizing Committee, told Caprivi Vision that preparations for the festival always begin almost immediately after the conclusion of each year’s event.“The festival is always prepared just after the other one” he explained 

He however pointed out that “This occasion also serves as a platform to celebrate a unified culture which unify the diverse Mafwe tribe.”

Mr Sikumba added that visitors will expect a colourful display of culture, saying “People will experience a lot of dances and more activities. Visitors will also enjoy plenty of traditional foods.”

He  noted that one of the recurring challenges has been the limited venue “We have a lot of people that usually come, but our space is very small to accommodate such a large number,” he said.

This year’s Lusata Festival will also host dignitaries, with invited speakers including Namibian Prime Minister , Dr. Elijah Ngurare , several government ministers, and traditional leaders from Omaheke Region and Zambezi Region.

 Sikumba extended a warm invitation to all Namibians and visitors from abroad, stressing that, “Everyone is welcome, and I want to tell them that they won’t regret attending the event. They should all come and enjoy with us. Everybody is invited.”

On behalf of Litunga George Simasiku Mamili VII, the Mafwe Royal Establishment has extended its invitation to all, reaffirming the Lusata Festival as one of Namibia’s most important cultural gatherings  a celebration of unity, tradition, and identity in the Zambezi Region.

The Mafwe Tribe is a multi-linguistic community composed of different clans ,  such as  ba-Linyanti ,the descendants of the Luyana and Sebitwane’s Kololos, Totela, those called bena Luhani and bena Chilao, ba-Fwe , ba-Mbukushu and ba-Subiya-Fwe, called as Bekuhane or bena-Mahe.

END…