Iuze Mukube
Mindscape Events has recently initiated and organised a media launch of the Namibia Creative Summit at the National Theatre of Namibia.
“The summit is a platform to provide a space for creative artists for more collaboration, while encouraging connections for the artists – whether locally or internationally – across the 13 sectors in the creative industry in Namibia,” event coordinator from Mindscape Events, Ndilimeke Nambinga said. “The summit should not be about who started it or whatever, but it should survive even [after] us. One day, I am not going to be here, but the Namibia Creative Summit should be here as the
children birthed today – the generation for tomorrow – should be able to say there is a platform where we come together as different creatives to discuss how we can grow collectively.
The founder of Simply You Magazine, Helena Ngaifiwa, stated: “It’s really important when creatives come together, share ideas, and just see how we can grow as a whole.
“And when we speak about creatives, obviously, the landscape is broader; we are talking about not just fashion designers, not just artists and not just make-up artists, but everybody in the creative space – from radio to television and so forth”, she said.
The summit convener, Patrick Sam, said it would officially begin on 6 and end on 7 September this year.
“The theme of the summit will be, ‘The economy of talent’, sub-themed: ‘Unlocking the developmental agenda of the Namibian creative sector and its contribution to the economy’. The reason we want to speak about not just the economy on one hand but also about talent, is to prioritise this idea of human creativity,” he stated.
He said they want to make a fundamental argument that, as creatives, creative entrepreneurs and public policy specialists, we must think that Namibian creative talent is a vital resource for our country.
“As we face social issues like that of violence in our communities, gender-based violence, sexual violence and dealing with domestic violence – violence exposed towards children, we should be able to say that even socially, we can give a child an instrument. Give them the ability to rehearse dance and give them that space, which will have a social impact that many people have obviously spoken about in many instances. We also know there is a conscience in terms of our national identity that happens when you are singing various cultural songs,” he told VIBEZ!.
“The summit aims to focus on the economy of talent, highlighting Namibia’s great value, and exposing it in terms of markets. The focus is on nurturing Namibian people’s potential and ensuring quality, and the goal is to professionalise the industry post-free trade agreement, assisting with duties and promoting them to new markets, particularly in agreements with America, to ensure their livelihoods and society’s economy,” stated Sam.
He reiterated that they want to bring all stakeholders on board and say, ‘Here is an opportunity for us to professionalise talent in this country’.
Chairperson of the National Arts Council of Namibia Cisle Jacobs announced a contribution of
N$200 000 towards the endeavour, stating that the council will work closely with the organisers to ensure the success of the programme, and it looks forward to the tangible outcomes from this collaboration. Future Media contributed over N$400 000 worth of airtime. “We are saying this is not only Mindscape, but also about all of us. It is by creatives – for creatives. So, let us join hands together and let us try to stimulate growth within the creative industry,” Nambinga said.
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