By Staff Reporter
In a historic show of unity, the Mayeyi and other tribes gathered at Sangwali, on Sunday August 3, 2025 to celebrate the Batsara Batsapi Annual Cultural Festival an event hosted by the Mayeyi Traditional Authority.
The gathering was attended by government officials, community members, and cultural groups, marking a significant milestone in promoting peace, cultural preservation, and regional cohesion.
The event was held at Sangwali, the headquarters of the Mayeyi Traditional Authority in Judea Lyaboloma Constituency, this brought together Shikati (Chief) Boniface Lutibezi Shufu of the Mayeyi Tribe, along with Litunga (Chief) George Simasiku Mamili of the Mafwe Tribe, who graced the event for the first-time in the history. Nfumu (Chief) Joseph Tembwe Mayuni of the Mashi Community and senior councillor of the Masubia, Ngambela (Premier) Albius Kamwi, also attended the annual Batsara Batsapi Cultural Festival.
Speaking at the festival, the Namibian Prime Minister, Dr Elijah Ngurare delivered remarks on behalf of President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, praised the unity among the traditional leaders and reiterated the government’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with all traditional authorities to drive national development.
“The 8th Administration will continue to work closely with traditional authorities here in Zambezi Region and throughout the country,” the message affirmed.
The Batsara Batsapi Festival is a vibrant annual celebration of the Mayeyi people’s rich cultural heritage, encompassing music, folklore, cuisine, arts, and traditional dance, including the renowned Shiboli. It is also a symbol of the Mayeyi community’s long journey towards recognition and autonomy.
The Mayeyi were officially recognized as an independent ethnic group in 1992 following decades of resistance against apartheid-era suppression and a renewed campaign after independence. The Mayeyi community was a Yeyi clan under the Mafwe Traditional Authority.
Dr. Ngurare also honoured past and present leaders from the Zambezi Region, notably commending Honourable Dorothy Kabula, the current regional governor, and her predecessors, including Honourable Lawrence Sampofu a decorated former PLAN commander and a member of the Mayeyi community. He paid tribute to Mayeyi icons like Hankuzi, a legendary fisherman and hunter, and other revered figures who contributed to Namibia’s liberation.
“Our ethnic differences should bring us closer together,” the speaker said, using the metaphor of a zebra’s stripes to emphasize the beauty of cultural diversity. “We are not wrong to be who we are. We are what we are, because we are who we are.”
The address concluded with a call for continued cooperation among all traditional authorities in Namibia and neighboring Botswana, emphasizing unity as the foundation for development, peace, and national identity. The government pledged ongoing support under its development agenda, the SWAPO Party Manifesto 2025–2030, as aligned with the newly launched NDP6.
“This is the meaning of freedom. This is the aim of independence,” the official said, reminding the gathering of Namibia’s liberation legacy. “Let us continue to march together under the umbrella of One Namibia, One Nation.”
The festival ended with heartfelt cultural performances, traditional cuisine, and an atmosphere of celebration, reinforcing the shared identity and resilience of the Mayeyi and all communities of the Zambezi Region.
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