The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has already started with preparations for the hosting of the Omagongo festival.

The festival rotates among the eight traditional authorities of Aawambo ethnic groups. 

The Omagongo festival has become a key cultural celebration since its inception about 25 years ago. In addition to celebrating cultural heritage, participants also utilise the platform to trade their goods and provide various services.

In an interview with NBC News regarding the preparations for the festival, Elenga Enene Ndilimani Iipumbu stated that a committee has been formed to oversee the event's arrangements.

Two gala dinners will be hosted: one in Windhoek and another in the northern regions.

The exact dates for the gala dinners, as well as the official festival date, will be announced in due course.

"This event has really grown since its inception; it has graduated to a national and international event and remains a platform for cultural preservation for future generations. The drink served on the day has been around for decades, and we celebrate not only Omagongo but also the Marula fruit as we extract various products, including oil."

The extraction of the fermented marula juice has already begun, aiming for over 15,000 litres of Omagongo juice.

"In those years, only women would extract the juice from the marula fruit, and it was a tedious process, and the juice was never sufficient. We are happy now that with advanced technology we can get more juice from the fruits, and it's easier for us to achieve our targets."

Iipumbu also noted that following the death of the festival's patron, the Founding President Sam Nujoma, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been appointed as the new patron.