Government funding, which should be the primary promoter and funding source for the arts, is quite limited, and the structures in place are not yet the most efficient, according to composer Galilei Njembo.
The tenor stated that he is not sure whether it was the best approach to combine the ministries of education, arts and culture with the ministries of youth and sports into a single larger ministry, with budgets allocated for youth, arts, culture, sports and education.
As a result, he said, each sector receives less funding, negatively impacting artists and creatives.
“Already in a country where arts education is quite limited and only accessible to mainly private schools, there are few ways to encourage further growth of arts and culture locally,” said the founder of the Namibian Music Ensemble.
He encouraged the government to allocate more funds towards arts and culture, and just as much to youth, education, and sports, as the ministry is direly underfunded.
“They must create platforms across all education levels to normalise and standardise arts education, beginning with greater artistic exposure in primary schools and by expanding modules and courses for art educators in music, theatre, and visual arts,” stated the creative.
He knew in advance what he was getting himself into when he decided to pursue his passion.
“I knew from the very beginning that there would be struggle, but I know that without fulfilling artistic passions, my life would not feel fulfilled. I have worked part-time in administration and in service, and although I applaud the work that many people do, not all individuals are meant to sit in offices,” he said.
Njembo stated that his strengths lie in performing, in artistic direction and curation, in production, artistic training, and various other creative fields.
“The joy that my work brings me is what drives me to persist in creating this full-time career locally and abroad. Staying in the industry is worth it, and I look forward to encouraging other peers and more youth to join me soon. My work is only just beginning,” he said.
The creative mentioned that art has an inherent manner of bringing people together and that with singing, it is scientifically proven that singing alone, and especially in groups, improves one’s mood and mental well-being.
“Many of the aspects of being a highly disciplined and trained musician require a vast amount of skill sets that allow us to hone leadership qualities. Music runs in our veins as Africans; it is an auditory embodiment of our traditional practice,” said Njembo.
He noted that artistic expression ties in well with culture and that training youth in the arts and culture provides individuals with more tools for income outside the usual eight-to-five office careers.
“Furthermore, it provides more tools to address social issues in more accessible, entertaining, and moving ways. For example, how OYO (Trust) Dance Troupe uses dance and theatre to address social issues such as gender based violence and mental health awareness. I, too, have produced a musical which touches on mental health awareness,” he informed.
Njembo spends many hours in isolation, orchestrating new projects and vocal practice or composition.
He said that working as a freelancer has its ups and downs, but the results are even more rewarding.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na