The audio-visual (AV) production industry in Namibia has long existed, however remains emerging. The trading of technical skills among technicians and engineers is significantly considered a niche hobby as opposed to it being considered a profession.

These technical skills are notable catalysts of the creative economy’s value chain, and there is a need for robust and authentic frameworks to harness the full potential of these skills in the creative economy. 

The AV production industry supports communication across many of Namibia’s vital industries by enabling creative and cultural events, including theatre, exhibitions, conferences, music concerts, and festivals. This field encompasses the use of audio and visual related tools, including speakers and microphones, LED screens and projectors, intelligent lights, and cameras. 

The operators handling these tools are primarily sound, audio-visual, lighting technicians, and engineers. 

Due to the project-based nature of the AV production industry, most technicians and engineers trade their skills on a freelance basis and freelancers are often linked to AV production companies who secure events and hire these technicians and engineers as the need arises. Quantifying the value of the AV production industry is difficult owing to its informal nature in business practice. There is practically no formal recognition of critical roles and standards such as industry rate cards or profit-sharing models like royalties for sound engineers, photographers and videographers, these are a few notable initiatives observed in thriving and established AV industries across the world. 

I draw inspiration from the Technical Production Services Association (TPSA) which achieved professional recognition for its technicians and engineers as well as influenced ethical business practices in the South African AV industry. The TPSA was established in 1998, at a time corporate theatre, live music and the live-events industry were developing quickly, and industry practitioners recognized the need to develop the association. 

The 2022 South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) report valued South Africa’s AV and the interactive sector at R48 billion, accounting for roughly 12% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and associations such as the TPSA have ensured continuous skills and knowledge development, equitable compensation and ultimately economic sustainability for their technicians, engineers and AV companies in the industry.

Formalizing the AV industry in Namibia does not only unlock untapped creative potential but also addresses unemployment among the youth and the exploitation of technical skills and knowledge. Ultimately, these efforts can only be achieved through collective bargaining.

*Tweuya Nelumbu is an audio-visual specialist. He can be contacted at ymmagic@gmail.com