By Sabina Elago
WINDHOEK– The newly formed ‘ChiNamiba’ Art Education Development Organisation that educates the children about art and culture will soon start with its academic year.
Chairperson Josaphat Tjiho says the organisation was founded in January 2013 by Kapenangutjiua Vetira a College of the Arts (Cota) graduates who studied African Performing Arts (APA) and was officially launched on March 15, 2013, by the Directorate of Arts in the Ministry of Youth, National Service Sport and Culture as well as the Manager of Chipawo Zimbabwe. The name ChiNamibia stand for Children Namibia, an inspiration from an organisation, Chipawo World. “We educate children about our arts and culture in the form of teaching and hosting workshops. Currently at ChiNamibia we offer classes in Drama, Poetry, Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Modeling, Theatre studies as well as teaching the children and the youth the importance of our culture. And for this year, we are starting on Monday 3rd March.And at the moment we are at Van Ryhn Primary School,” says Tjiho.
He adds that they offer part time afternoon classes to the children and the youth on a part time basis for now. “We want to share our acquired skills and knowledge in arts and culture by educating children and young Namibian youth,” says Tjiho.
ChiNamibia was founded and is run by the youth. Founding Director is Kapenangutjiua Vetira, Chairperson Josaphat Tjiho, Manager Esmeralda Cloete, Secretary Michel Kahorongo, Treasurer Elzaan de Wee. Tjiho says coming up with ChiNamibia was an inspiration from Chipawo Zimbabwe, an Art Education for Development and Empowerment Trust that works with children and young people in Zimbabwe, established in 1989. “Chipawo has been working with children and young people for over 20 years and been involved in many international festivals and exchanges and has learned that children and young people can perform in this regard,” says Tjiho.
The organisation will host its first workshop this year on March 10–14. Tjiho says “the workshop will be on making and constructing marimba instruments open to anyone who is interested to know how to make and play marimba instrument. At the workshop people will be learning how to make, play and read the instruments. The fee for the workshop is N$ 30. We are still confirming the venue we booked.” Late August this year there will be a Cultural Festival, of which the time and venue will be confirmed at a later stage.