As a creative practitioner…it was unbelievably refreshing to hear and read about the governing party Swapo and its candidate….now President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah consciously included the arts and creative industries in their manifesto. This is probably the one time in all of the election cycles since independence that the governing party, along with its elected representatives, has placed so much emphasis on the arts and creative industries.

Growing up in this country, from Founding President and Father of the Nation Dr Sam Nujoma’s time to 3rd President Dr Hage Geingob’s time…science and technology were on the agenda. Nothing wrong with that, but that agenda came at the expense and delay of an industry that could’ve employed thousands by now…the arts and creative industries.

This is why I’ve always suspected the lack of drive and focus on the arts and creative industries to be the main contributing factor towards a lack of an identity. The truth is that as Namibians…we are not proudly Namibian. We are proudly Namibian on national days like Independence Day, Cassinga…etc. Yes, but not in our everyday lives. This would’ve been a different story had the arts and creative industries been part and parcel of the chat since independence.

What do I mean by “we are not proudly Namibian?” Allow me to contextualise. As Namibians, we lack an identity. Yes, we are Namibians…but what does that really mean? We worship everything that’s foreign. Namibians hold very little value for anything Namibian. Our favourite sports teams are foreign. Our favourite movies are foreign. Our favourite music is foreign. Our favourite clothing brands are foreign. That’s what I mean. If there was political will-power since 1990 to instill a sense of patriotism beyond national observatory days by using the arts and creative industries to drive the Namibian narrative, we wouldn’t be in this position as a people. Look at the Naija and Hollywood blueprint, what those industries have done for the patriotism of their people.

So yes, I am extremely excited about this new administration. As a creative practitioner, I am extremely excited about the promise of a N$2 billion injection into the arts and creative industry over a period of five years. As a creative practitioner, it gives me joy to hear Madam President mention this sector with such vigour in her acceptance and opening speech to the Namibian House.

Driving the arts and creative industry agenda on behalf of Madam President are her trusted soldiers, Sanet Steenkamp and Dino Ballotti. My hope is that these two able professionals understand what the arts and creative industry can do for the identity of a society. The potential jobs it can create.

I wish Madam President along with her two trusted soldiers all the health and wisdom. We hope that we sing a different kind of song by the end of her term. Notwithstanding that…the podcast version of Industry Loop continues today with another episode featuring the founder of Mad Boy Genius, Reyne Liswaniso. This man sits with close to two decades worth of wisdom and knowledge about this industry. Check it out on YouTube on the biggest newspaper brand’s platform New Era LIVE. Enjoy it. Share your thoughts on the episode using the hashtag #IndustryLoop.

Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM

To advertise on the podcast…email slunyangwe@nepc.com.na for a quote.