Nurturing a creative Kavango East economy

Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo says there is an urgent need to invest in the empowerment of future generations to provide opportunities to develop their leadership skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Wakudumo made these remarks on Monday at the official launch of a project titled Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy in Northern Namibia, an event that was held at Rundu.

Facilitated by Home of the Arts (HOTA), the five-day project aims to promote art, tourism and a creative economy by providing training and mentorship to artists and craftsmen, empowering them to become creative design thinkers, add value to their products and create value chains.

Wakudumo said the event comes at a crucial time when the region is calling upon the community to rise above its limits to be a collective force of problem-solvers and ambitious dreamers.

“We can no longer wait for external solutions to come to us,” he said.

‘Keep pushing forward’

Wakudumo explained that mentorship programmes, internships and inclusive educational initiatives can inspire and equip the next generation to be the change agents the community needs.

“I am delighted that the trainers from AfriSource will be working with the ten participants this week, empowering them with both theory and practical knowledge of product design," Wakudumo said.

“We must also recognise the power of persistence as essential in overcoming obstacles on the path to change. Let us encourage not only the project participants but also the entire community to persevere, even in the face of setbacks and challenges. Let us foster a mindset that sees failures as valuable learning opportunities and motivates individuals to keep pushing forward,” the governor added.

Wakudumo underlined the importance of highlighting success stories from within the community and celebrating the achievements of those who exemplify persistence.

"I am confident that the project has made provisions to document the journey of this initiative and share its experiences with the Namibian nation and the world,” he said.

Agriculture

Wakudumo said the region has several green schemes in place. “However, it is imperative that we scale up these efforts at the household level, producing crops, fruits and vegetables for commercial purposes. Additionally, we should focus on value addition to our produce by promoting agro-processing,” he said.

Tourism and creative sector

“Our region boasts numerous beautiful lodges. However, it would be truly progressive if these lodges incorporated cultural tourism aspects. By doing so, local communities will benefit greatly from the influx of visiting tourists. The creative aspect of our region's potential has been greatly underrated. From woodcarving, basket making, beadwork, singing and dancing to modern music and crafts, our ancestors were masters of these creative endeavours,” he said.

The governor said the arts and creative sectors act as a vital link between agriculture and tourism. “For instance, lodges are designed by architects who are also artists, the food we produce is packaged in packages designed by artists, and the machinery we use in agriculture is designed by artists. This demonstrates how artists play a significant role in solving societal problems through their innovative inventions. It is therefore crucial to foster a maker's mentality in our region and promote the arts,” he said.

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