Arts Sectors’ N$64 Million Plan Proposes 7 000 Jobs

Shinovene Immanuel

19 May 2011

Some days after their proposal for the creation of employment through arts was rebuked by the line minister, the arts fraternity got their act together and improved their plan to create more employment opportunities in the sector.

The Minister of National Service, Youth, Sport and Culture, Kazenambo Kazenambo recently criticised a N$64 million arts proposal describing it as not up to standard and instead gave them time to improve their plans.

Kazenambo urged arts stakeholders to come up with proposals that will benefit the industry through the Targeted Intervention for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG) valued at N$14,6 billion over three years..

The improved proposal, which has now been submitted to the ministry, stands at N$96 million, N$22 million more than the previous proposal and proposes the creation of approximately 4 000 full time jobs, 7 000 part-time or contract posts, and will benefit about 46 000 artists over the next three years.

Director of Arts in the ministry Retha-Louise Hofmeyr confirmed that the latest proposal took into consideration some of the recommendations raised internally by management, as well as proposals received during consultation with Oruuano Artist Union.

According to her, the points added to the current proposal include the upgrading of the Katutura Independence Arena in Windhoek, programming of events, and the development of a state-supported recording studio and CD duplication facility.

Some of the notable proposals are the establishment of a film school in Windhoek, the creation of innovation hubs and business incubation centres for young arts entrepreneurs in Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Windhoek.

The film school is expected to create more than 500 jobs while the incubators are likely to create working opportunities to more than 200 people.

Oruuano officials were also told last week to include the arts proposals in their four year strategic plan.

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