Happy Face promotes a creative youth

Petrus Namadiko is a second year Bachelor of Journalism and Media Technology student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust).

He is the founder of Happy Face Visuals, an all-round choreography and art organisation. He has taught more than 110 children a variety of choreography.

Happy Face is an electronic media and performing arts organisation with a focus on photography, videography and choreography. It lives up to its slogan: "Earth without art is eh".

The organisation also has a clothing line and does retouching and photo editing. Happy Face began as a hobby.

"I loved dancing from primary all the way to secondary school. I was great at coordinating as well as teaching, so I taught my peers a few moves and it was through this that Happy Face was born," Petrus Namadiko said.

Namadiko had a great love for the arts, which led to the inspiration for Happy Face.

He first started with a dance academy as he was also part of a youth development programme, where he was inspired to impact the lives of others.

A beginning

This started in Rundu, his hometown, where he taught children how to live their dreams through art.

He taught them dance, photography, editing and a lot more.

"This has been one learning journey where I was able to pick up a lot from the different people I have worked with," he emphasised.

Namadiko said his first and second-year studies have presented him with a steep learning curve.

He gained many skills that have allowed him to give back to his students and have helped him realise he is heading in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Happy Face has branched out.

Focused

Namadiko has identified students at the different branches who do the day-to-day coordinating of the branches.

These students have been a part of Happy Face since grade three, and they are "part of the family."

As a result, studying has become easier, as he is able to give varsity his undivided attention, while still being available to help whenever he is needed.

The only time Namadiko finds himself very busy is when he is back home in Rundu.

There, he is focused on working on the organisation and its future.

He also works on the graphics, editing and social media management of the business.

"The different students usually reach out when they are in need of different designs, and that is where I come in," he stated.

Overcoming

Like many others, Namadiko has had his fair share of challenges at the start of the business.

At first, they did not have a proper camera for their shoots, but this did not last long. They were able to obtain one with money they earned from different gigs.

"It is not really the best of cameras, but it gets the job done," he said "It brings in an income which allows us to branch out and spend money on costumes."

Selfless Namadiko wants to create a corporation for the youth.

Through this corporation, he wants children from all over the country to learn true art and to embrace their skills, not forgetting to create an expressive environment.

"Happy Face is about us and this is what we would like to achieve," he said.