‘Eat local’: Diescho asks why traditional food is reserved for cultural events
Professor Joseph Diescho has urged Namibians to integrate traditional food into their daily diets rather than reserving it for special cultural events. He argues that this shift is essential for strengthening the local agricultural sector and fostering national pride.
Why it matters
The discussion touches on cultural identity, food security, and the economic importance of supporting local agricultural production in developing nations.
Traditional Namibian food should be part of everyday meals rather than being reserved for cultural events, professor Joseph Diescho says.
Diescho says Namibians need to change their attitude towards locally produced food if the country wants to strengthen its agricultural sector.
Diescho questions why Namibians often associate traditional food with special occasions instead of consuming it regularly.
“We reserve that which is ours, that which is originally ours, for special cultural events. And you want to develop your agriculture with that kind of mindset,” Diescho said during the Agriculture Investment Conference & Expo 2026 in Windhoek yesterday.
Diescho said Namibians should take pride in their traditional food and support local agricultural production by consuming what they produce.
“You go to Nigeria, you see the president eating with his hands fufu that the people produce. They consume what they produce, and they produce what they consume,” he said.
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