By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK A number of progressive Namibian artists and staff last Friday welcomed the new head of the Katutura Community Arts Centre. With the exception of an official ministerial driver, none of the invited heads of the College of the Arts nor the director of arts programmes in the Ministry of Youth, National Service, sport and culture were present at the well-attended social event. “It is my considered opinion that since my departure from here, the KCAC had apparently operated in limbo without strong leadership, until now with the appointment of the new manager,” said the former manager, Joseph Madisia, in welcoming Sakkie Haosemab in his new post. Madisia further expressed his hopes and vision for the KCAC and called it an inspirational place with a lot to offer for arts and cultural development. “Unfortunately the centre is still operated in isolation from the rest of the country. However, it has the potential to grow into a vibrant gathering place for artists to practice their various art forms,” Madisia, the director of the National Arts Gallery, said as guest speaker. Two well-known cultural troupes, The Rejects and Ondunga Cultural Group entertained the guests. “With the help and assistance of my staff, lecturers, students and the community at large, I will be able to bring on the necessary innovative changes the KCAC needs. However, I believe many barriers need to be broken before we will be able to reach total success,” the new manager, Haosemab, told the appreciative audience.