Periodic Report Namibia

This report represents the collective input by the MYNSSC and all the Stakeholders who made, in their different ways, valuable contribution to the implementation of the Policy on Arts and Culture since the year 2000. The report further represents the objective views of the representatives of institutions and organizations who tirelessly worked on it for the past three months. Central to the report is the issue of coordination of the implementation of the policy which could have been better should there have been clear guidelines laid for the implementing agencies to follow. This had a clear misconception from the civil society that the role of an effective and efficient rollout of the policy is the sole responsibility of the Government.

With exception of the contribution by International development partners some of which are listed in the report, financial resources were almost left entirely on the Government which demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission and goals as embedded in the policy. This does not however undermine the generous contribution made by some private sector organizations and local authorities as well as individual stakeholders such as Bank Windhoek, SANLAM, FNB (First National Bank), STB (Standard Bank), City of Windhoek, Karibib Arts and Culture Committee, to mention but a few, which committed financial resources to the promotion of arts and culture over the past decades. Platforms such as national trade fairs were also used to introduce and market arts and culture industry. It is further worth noting that the role of the government is to create an enabling environment for the arts and culture practitioners to exercise their Constitutional right.

The Policy on Arts and Culture, as stated in the report, in its current state undoubtedly desires much to be done as much development has taken place since the last ten years when it was introduced. Despite the efforts made to successfully implement this policy, stakeholders feel that there is a need for a review.

Notwithstanding the shortcomings mentioned above, significant achievements have been recorded during the period of reporting. Areas of coordination, communication, consultation between Government and statutory arts and culture bodies, regional offices, and agencies under the ministry responsible for arts and culture have improved remarkably. More than 500 000 people have access to arts and culture activities and services offered through government and arts and culture bodies programmes. Since the promulgation of the policy, over 1 500 people are absorbed into the arts and culture industry after formal and non-formal training. The number of organizations supported by the government has increased from below ten to more than twenty since 2001. All cultures are treated equally and are showcased every year at public and private sector supported events. Training in arts and culture has since become readily accessible contributing to the increase in the number of individual experts in the sector. There has further been a remarkable improvement in the allocation of financial resources, infrastructure and equipment for which improvement in the utilizations thereof has been realized over the years under reporting. Capacity building for arts and culture administrative personnel has since become an integral part of the policy implementation thereby ensuring better formulation policies and translating them in strategic plans with clear and achievable goals and objectives.