Crowds turn out for annual Zambezi bream expo
The 8th Annual Zambezi Bream Festival and Cultural Expo in Katima Mulilo brought colour, flavour and entertainment to the town from 4 to 10 August, attracting locals and visitors from near and far.
The festival kicked off at a slower pace in its first few days, but momentum began to build from Wednesday, 6 August, which also marked the official opening ceremony.
By Thursday, 7 August, the venue was buzzing with activity as more people turned up, filling the grounds with energy and excitement. Families arrived in numbers, with children enjoying toy stalls and fun rides, while adults explored a wide range of food, drinks and crafts.
Vendors ranged from large corporate exhibitors to informal traders selling handmade clothes, shoes, toys and freshly prepared bream dishes – the signature highlight of the festival. Several attendees told Network Media Hub (NMH) that this year’s turnout seemed higher than in 2024, pointing to a positive growth trend for the event.
Entertainment was a major draw, with performances from various artists, particularly local talent from Katima Mulilo and surrounding areas, catering to the tastes of the Zambezi community. Music, cultural dances and live shows kept the crowd engaged throughout the week.
Among the vendors was Mariana Immanuel, a first-time participant, who spoke to NMH on Friday. She admitted the early days were challenging, with fewer customers than expected. “The first four days were a bit rough, but from the 7th onwards, people really started pitching up, and business improved,” she said.
Organisers hailed the festival as a success, citing the blend of culture, food and entertainment that continues to mark the Zambezi Bream Festival a key annual event in the region.
The festival kicked off at a slower pace in its first few days, but momentum began to build from Wednesday, 6 August, which also marked the official opening ceremony.
By Thursday, 7 August, the venue was buzzing with activity as more people turned up, filling the grounds with energy and excitement. Families arrived in numbers, with children enjoying toy stalls and fun rides, while adults explored a wide range of food, drinks and crafts.
Vendors ranged from large corporate exhibitors to informal traders selling handmade clothes, shoes, toys and freshly prepared bream dishes – the signature highlight of the festival. Several attendees told Network Media Hub (NMH) that this year’s turnout seemed higher than in 2024, pointing to a positive growth trend for the event.
Entertainment was a major draw, with performances from various artists, particularly local talent from Katima Mulilo and surrounding areas, catering to the tastes of the Zambezi community. Music, cultural dances and live shows kept the crowd engaged throughout the week.
Among the vendors was Mariana Immanuel, a first-time participant, who spoke to NMH on Friday. She admitted the early days were challenging, with fewer customers than expected. “The first four days were a bit rough, but from the 7th onwards, people really started pitching up, and business improved,” she said.
Organisers hailed the festival as a success, citing the blend of culture, food and entertainment that continues to mark the Zambezi Bream Festival a key annual event in the region.
