•  By Marx Itamalo

The 13th edition of Oshakati’s most prized cultural and trade exhibition, the Totem Expo, is set to attract close to 25 000 revelers at this year’s event, scheduled for May 30 to June 7. 

 This is according to Katarina Kamari, spokesperson of the Oshakati Town Council, who explained that the visitors will include local communities, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, businesses and government representatives.  She said the exposition celebrates the rich traditions, indigenous knowledge and totems that form the foundation of community engagement.

“It serves as a vibrant platform for cultural preservation, community engagement and tourism promotion, while highlighting the vital role of heritage in strengthening unity and pride,” Kamari said.

Kamari said this year’s Totem Expo will consist of old and new offerings such as the opening and closing musical bashes, cultural groups praising and a dancing competition. She also said other key activities will include the Miss Womalenga beauty pageant, the Mr Totem Expo body building competition, a boxing bonanza featuring local boxers and Oxungi. 

Exhibitor Joseph Indongo, who owns a printing and photography business, has been attending the expo since its inception believes it is the right platform for small and medium enterprises (SME’s).  “Small businesses like ours often get no platforms to advertise our services and network with fellow business owners and potential clients. I therefore believe expos like these are important for our growth and people should attend because this is where networking opportunities are,” Indongo stressed. 

Meanwhile, regular attendee Anna Negumbo from Ongwediva blasted the organizers for what she calls exorbitant entrance fees.
“They are asking too much money. What if somebody wants to attend each day of the Expo? Someone would definitely end up spending about to N$ 400 just in eight days,” Negumbo lamented. 

“They must review and revise their entrance fees because it will prevent some people, especially the unemployed from attending,” she stressed.  This year’s Totem Expo will be held under the theme: ‘celebrating culture, unity and heritage’.