Young people who attended the Unam Cultural Festival at Rundu believe such events foster a connection to their roots, especially amongst diverse individuals.
They also stressed the importance of learning about each other's cultures and traditions.
The Unam cultural festival brings together students from different ethnic backgrounds.
The youth say their everyday lives revolve around technology, so being able to get in touch with their identity keeps them both grounded and mentally healthy.
"It's very easy to move to the western side and forget our own roots, so I believe for young people, knowing where we come from, our roots, learning how we do things in our tradition, our culture, how we eat, all those things, is an essential part of our identity," stated student Rose Kameya.
"Most people have grown away from tradition, so these events bring us closer to what we used to be in the past, what our parents used to be and what we should stand for. It also brings us close to opening up our minds for our mental health. This is a way for us to come and weigh down the stress level, to come and come and create a beautiful atmosphere for ourselves," reiterated Vallyane Libune.
Nathalia Paulus, a learner at Jafet Haiyambo SP School, said, "Cultural festivals are important because young learners like us can know how we connect ourselves to our ancestors; it helps us to know where we come from and how our heritage started. OUT
The campus director, Dr. Helena Miranda, says the combination of education and culture produces a force that shapes individuals and societies.
"When education and culture come together, they create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where innovation flourishes, mutual understanding is strengthened, and individuals are inspired to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the broader society."
Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka says there is unity in diversity, and it should be embraced.
"Education without culture is like a tree without roots, while culture without education is rich soil left uncultivated. I therefore encourage you not to be mere consumers of culture. Be its creators and custodians. Write the scripts, design the fashions, compose the music, develop digital platforms and excel on the sports field."