Ohangwena Governor Positions Creative Industry as Pathway for Youth Talent
Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has called on young people in the region to embrace opportunities in the creative industry, describing the sector as an important platform for discovering, developing and showcasing their talents.
Hamutumwa said the creative sector has the potential to provide young people with opportunities to turn their talents and ideas into meaningful careers while connecting them to audiences and opportunities beyond Namibia.
She urged young people across Ohangwena to prepare themselves and actively participate in the sector, particularly those with interests in areas such as filmmaking, music, fashion, digital media and other creative disciplines.
The governor’s call comes as efforts to strengthen the creative industry in the region gain momentum.
The Office of the Governor has recently encouraged young people interested in creative industries, particularly filmmaking, to participate in emerging opportunities.
Hamutumwa has previously identified creative arts among the region’s development priorities, alongside sectors such as agriculture, tourism, sports, crafts and textile manufacturing.
The governor has also been involved in initiatives aimed at expanding international creative cooperation.
In 2025, discussions between Namibia and Nigeria explored potential exchange programmes in music, film, fashion and digital media, with the aim of promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange among young people.
For young people in Ohangwena, the creative industry could therefore provide more than entertainment.
It can serve as a pathway to entrepreneurship, skills development, employment and participation in wider regional and international markets.
Hamutumwa’s message is also consistent with her broader emphasis on youth empowerment and economic participation.
She has previously encouraged young people to move beyond simply seeking employment and consider opportunities that allow them to create businesses and employment for others.
The governor has urged young people to recognise their talents as valuable assets and to take advantage of platforms that can help them develop their skills.
As the creative economy continues to expand globally, increased investment in young Namibian creatives could help create new opportunities in filmmaking, music production, fashion, photography, graphic design, digital content creation and other related fields.
For Ohangwena, the focus is increasingly on creating an environment where young people can transform creativity into skills, businesses and sustainable livelihoods.
