From talent to transformation
Opinion
Namibia is ready. The time is now.
In light of Namibia’s newly elected government and its articulated intention to promote the cultural and creative industry (CCI), a wave of optimism has rippled through the hearts of creatives nationwide.
This moment signals more than policy, it signals possibility. However, as artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, storytellers and cultural workers, we must now reflect deeply: how do we position our gifts not only as expressions of personal or community identity, but as engines for national transformation?
First, let us begin with understanding. Every talent or creative gift is inherently unique; it is a niche. To truly optimise our potential, we must identify that niche clearly. Whether you are a dancer preserving indigenous forms, a visual artist exploring contemporary identities, or a digital storyteller imagining new futures, knowing what you bring to the table is the first step in creating value around it. Without that clarity, it becomes difficult to build sustainable models, attract funding or participate meaningfully in policy shifts.
Yet, talent alone is not enough.
The journey from raw creativity to refined impact requires structure. It must be harnessed through training, sharpened with mentorship, and consistently aligned with industry upgrades, be they new technologies, evolving business models or global trends. We must invest in learning, unlearning and relearning. Creatives who thrive are those who treat their craft like any other professional pursuit: one that demands discipline, structure and strategic thinking.
That said, while government support is pivotal, we must ask deeper questions: Who are we as a people? And how does our CCI contribute to our collective identity, economics and political standing?
The cultural and creative industry is not just about entertainment or heritage. It is a philosophical and economic movement, one that speaks to who we are and who we wish to become. At its core, CCI has the potential to reimagine the Namibian narrative, weaving our diverse cultures into a cohesive national fabric that fuels both GDP and pride.
Dreams built by dreamers
Imagine a Namibia where national policy, education and trade are all influenced by the creative imagination of its people and imagination grounded in heritage but inspired by possibility. That vision demands more than inspiration; it requires systemisation and the politically funnelling thereof. Dreams alone don’t create change, systems do. Systems built by dreamers who understand that for the collective to thrive, the ego must yield to unity. That is the ideological leap we must take.
With that said, the formalisation of the cultural and creative industry is not a bureaucratic checkbox, it is a nation-building strategy.
In a nutshell, in my view, the formalisation must be underpinned by five key pillars: national branding and promotion, policy development and legislative frameworks, data collection and industry mapping, market development and access to finance, and capacity building and skills development.
*Othilia Tutu Mungoba is a creative practitioner, filmmaker and CCI consultant.
This moment signals more than policy, it signals possibility. However, as artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, storytellers and cultural workers, we must now reflect deeply: how do we position our gifts not only as expressions of personal or community identity, but as engines for national transformation?
First, let us begin with understanding. Every talent or creative gift is inherently unique; it is a niche. To truly optimise our potential, we must identify that niche clearly. Whether you are a dancer preserving indigenous forms, a visual artist exploring contemporary identities, or a digital storyteller imagining new futures, knowing what you bring to the table is the first step in creating value around it. Without that clarity, it becomes difficult to build sustainable models, attract funding or participate meaningfully in policy shifts.
Yet, talent alone is not enough.
The journey from raw creativity to refined impact requires structure. It must be harnessed through training, sharpened with mentorship, and consistently aligned with industry upgrades, be they new technologies, evolving business models or global trends. We must invest in learning, unlearning and relearning. Creatives who thrive are those who treat their craft like any other professional pursuit: one that demands discipline, structure and strategic thinking.
That said, while government support is pivotal, we must ask deeper questions: Who are we as a people? And how does our CCI contribute to our collective identity, economics and political standing?
The cultural and creative industry is not just about entertainment or heritage. It is a philosophical and economic movement, one that speaks to who we are and who we wish to become. At its core, CCI has the potential to reimagine the Namibian narrative, weaving our diverse cultures into a cohesive national fabric that fuels both GDP and pride.
Dreams built by dreamers
Imagine a Namibia where national policy, education and trade are all influenced by the creative imagination of its people and imagination grounded in heritage but inspired by possibility. That vision demands more than inspiration; it requires systemisation and the politically funnelling thereof. Dreams alone don’t create change, systems do. Systems built by dreamers who understand that for the collective to thrive, the ego must yield to unity. That is the ideological leap we must take.
With that said, the formalisation of the cultural and creative industry is not a bureaucratic checkbox, it is a nation-building strategy.
In a nutshell, in my view, the formalisation must be underpinned by five key pillars: national branding and promotion, policy development and legislative frameworks, data collection and industry mapping, market development and access to finance, and capacity building and skills development.
*Othilia Tutu Mungoba is a creative practitioner, filmmaker and CCI consultant.
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