Africa-Press – Namibia. The Recurring poverty and neglect Namibian artists face has reached an intolerable level.
The passing of Ras Sheehama, one of our most distinguished musicians, is yet another tragic reminder of the structural failures that leave artists unsupported and destitute.
Ras’s death follows those of Frederick ‘Freddy Brian Philander – the father of Namibian people’s theatre, as well as Jackson Kaujeua Snr and Jnr, Stanley van Wyk, the Kavandje brothers, and other iconic figures who departed.
Despite their immense contributions to national identity, education and social cohesion, too many of these cultural pioneers died in financial hardship.
That some artists have been driven to suicide under the weight of economic despair is not only tragic, it is a national disgrace.
This pattern is symptomatic of a deeper institutional malaise in the governance of our arts sector.
The Swapo Party Manifesto Implementation Plan (Smip) identifies ‘Priority Area Number 5’ as a strategic intervention to strengthen Namibia’s creative and cultural industries.
This was rightly welcomed as an overdue step toward institutionalising support for the arts. Yet optimism is fading…
Unless urgent corrective measures are taken, its implementation risks being undermined by the very governance weaknesses, exclusion and mismanagement that have plagued the sector for decades.
GOVERNANCE FAILURES
Arts governance in Namibia has long been compromised by a concentration of power, weak institutional leadership and a lack of accountability.
Key examples include:
(i) Namibia Film Commission (NFC)
It is unfortunate the NFC resorted to excluding experienced filmmakers from production support.
This contradicts the NFC Act and the Film and Video Development Fund, while stifling industry growth.
Veteran filmmakers are vital for raising the quality of Namibian film and transferring skills to younger practitioners.
Moreover, the long-delayed film regulatory authority of Namibia (Fran) bill – finalised as far back as 2017 – remains unimplemented, leaving the sector without a modern regulatory framework.
(ii) Directorate of Arts and National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN)
These institutions operate under opaque and inconsistent structures.
Decision-making often appears centralised in the hands of a few individuals, fuelling perceptions of favouritism and bias.
To the disappointment of the creative community, deserving artists are often denied funding while administrators at these three arts funding entities frequently embark on fully funded national and international trips with little accountability or tangible benefit to the industry.
This not only diverts scarce resources but also damages Namibia’s international reputation by sidelining actual practitioners.
Speaking out against such abuses often attracts retaliation from entrenched networks that dominate cultural boards. This has fostered a culture of punitive decision-making, where dissenting artists risk further exclusion.
Many outspoken creatives, myself included, have not received support or funding in years as a consequence.
WAYS FORWARD
Given these persistent challenges, corrective action is essential before rolling out Smip’s ‘Priority Area 5’.
Without reform, the sector risks perpetuating exclusion, mismanagement, and wasted potential.
Recommended measures include:
•Institutional Reform: There may be an urgent need to temporarily disband the executive structures of the NFC, Directorate of Arts, and NACN. Place them under interim administration with a clear mandate to restore transparency and accountability.
•Commission of Enquiry: It may also be necessary to establish a commission to investigate the administration of arts funding from 1990 to 2025, with a focus on identifying systemic weaknesses.
•Forensic Audit: Conduct a full forensic audit of all cultural institutions, comparing resources allocated to artists with those consumed by administrative overheads, travel and allowances.
•Consultative Conference: There is an urgent need to convene a national creative industry consultative conference with broad regional representation (at least 10 delegates per region) across all artistic disciplines.
Delegates should be mandated to produce practical recommendations for reform.
•Legislative Action: Expedite the tabling of the fran bill, which includes the Film and Video Development Fund, as well as the Film Finance Policy and the Procurement Policy.
•Policy Implementation: Ensure that the newly launched Arts Policy, delayed for more than a decade, is urgently and effectively implemented.
POLICY PRIORITIES
Namibia’s arts sector is at a crossroads.
Without governance reform, the Smip’s ‘Priority Area 5’ will fail to revitalise the creative industries and will reproduce the same inefficiencies and corruption that have long eroded trust.
This is therefore not just an arts and cultural issue, it is a national policy priority.
The creative industries are engines of identity, social cohesion, and economic growth.
By instituting structural reforms now, Namibia can ensure that its artists live and die with dignity, and that their contributions to the nation are honoured with the institutional respect and support they deserve.
– Vickson Hangula is a creative practitioner specialising in filmmaking, theatre, writing, and performing arts training.
He has served on the Filmmakers Association of Namibia board of trustees, as commissioner on the Namibia Film Commission, and as a board member of the National Theatre of Namibia. He is a family man based at Osona Village. The views expressed here are his own.
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