WINDHOEK-The Karakul Board of Namibia, trading as Swakara, dedicated its 105^th anniversary to the honour of Namibian president, Hifikepunye Pohamba.

The triple headed gala evening which included a cocktail and fashion show in collaboration with the Rover Motor Company took place last Thursday at the motor company’s showroom in Independence Avenue here.

Models modelling Swakara’s high quality and creatively designed garments could not but add glamour to the evening which was graced by Pohamba. Chairperson of the Karakul Board of Namibia, Raimar van der Merwe, told the huge gathering the main aim for the celebration and fashion show was to honour Pohamba as a token of appreciation for many years of continuous support for Swakara by the government of Namibia, 105 years of breeding the most beautiful sheep in the world in Namibia and the rise of the Swakara industry back to its rightful place from the ashes of the ant fur age.

Raimar said their biggest successes have been on the international fur fashion scene. “Our industry also acknowledges its responsibility towards the people of Namibia and its creative talent. For that reason, young Namibia designers were made aware of Swakara as a fashion material and competition was held to find the best Namibian young designers working with Swakara,” said Raimar.

Pohamba told the audiences that the Swakara industry has put Namibia on the international map as a producer of quality pelts, which have been used in the design of stylish garments.   The winning garment of the Namibian of the 2011 young designers competition showcased at fur and fashion fairs in Italy and Canada with Namibian, Aili Elifas, being crowned the best designer by the president. “ I am impressed by the quality of garments and the creativity of the participant in Young Designers Competition that I had a pleasure of witnessing here tonight,” said the president during the handed over of the certificate to Aili during the celebration.

A Swakara waist coat was handed to the president as a token of the long lasting and strong ties between the Government and the Swakara industry.