Residents of Omaruru, Karibib and Usakos will have to wait until 2027 for the return of the Amalgamated Rotational Annual Festival (ARAF), with Omaruru set to host the next edition.
Usakos Town Council CEO Lesley Goraseb announced this week that the festival will not take place this year.
Instead, the three towns, through the Omaruru, Karibib and Usakos Local Authority Cooperation (OKULAC), will use the break to consult residents and stakeholders on ways to improve the event.
“Following the successful completion of the current ARAF cycle, the three local authorities will use this period to engage stakeholders and the community, review the previous cycle and identify areas for improvement ahead of the festival’s return,” Goraseb said.
Over the years, the festival has brought the three towns together and created opportunities for local businesses, informal traders and communities to take part in activities hosted on a rotational basis. Goraseb said the break will allow the local authorities to listen to communities and consider lessons and recommendations from the previous cycle before preparations for 2027 begin.
“This process will help ensure that lessons and recommendations from across Omaruru, Karibib and Usakos are considered as preparations begin for the next cycle,” he said.
He thanked residents, stakeholders, partners and supporters from the three towns for their continued support.
OKULAC believes community participation remains central to the festival and encouraged residents and stakeholders to stay involved as preparations for the next cycle take shape.
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