Goethe-Institut empowering the nation

Hinauarue Rijatua





A wise man once said “human creativity is the ultimate economic resource”.

The Goethe-Institut, being a globally-renowned active cultural centre, is pouring back into the community by hosting its second creative entrepreneurship programme. This programme is in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and together they are offering Namibian entrepreneurs in the creative industry the opportunity to partake in a programme which will help them identify business opportunities, develop business ideas - whatever they may be - and create economic growth.

Donovan Majiedt, the creative entrepreneurship programme assistant, said “the long-term aim of the programme is to create economic growth in the creative industries”. In this day and age, the world is constantly on the move. Be it with regards to trends, businesses or productions, everything is evolving and giving room to new incentives and entrepreneurs to flourish in the creative industry. This particular industry is becoming an increasingly essential component in economic growth, with new innovations and business ideas being brought forth on a daily basis. Essentially, the creative minds and innovations of the 21st century will ultimately serve as economic weapons in the many years to come. Namibia, like many other countries, has sectors in the creative industry that are growing rapidly. This industry, contrary to popular belief, contributes millions of dollars to the Namibian economy on an annual basis and is actively narrowing the unemployment gap, despite being overlooked and doubted by many. The only problem is the lack of knowledge in this industry, and the ones who do venture in it are sometimes not able to sustain themselves due to a lack of support.

Gaining skills

Majiedt said “the creative industry has potential to create employment, but very often, creatives cannot sustain themselves with their products or services alone and this has become even harder with the global pandemic, especially with a lack of supporting programmes.”

This exact gap is what this programme aimed to fill.

The Goethe-Institut invites creatives who operate in the tech/digital sector, film and videography, design, advertising, digital marketing and information communication and technology sectors. This will be a platform where applicants will gain skills and knowledge to be able to identify lucrative business opportunities, develop and build on those and to implement an effective business plan. They will get business training, mentorship and networking sessions that will equip them with all they need to be successful in their various business endeavours.



Fruitful

Fallone Tambwe, an attendee of the previous year’s programme, said despite Covid-19 hitting the nation, her experience was extremely fruitful.

“The pandemic and the programme have forced us to grow and become more tech-savvy, which is a good thing” she said.

The programme will conclude with a pitching competition that will portray the milestones reached by the businesses and also award the top three most improved with a monetary prize. All participants will be awarded with a certificate of completion, Majiedt said.

Business opportunities in Namibia are endless and with organisations like the Goethe-Institut pouring back into the society and empowering them, economic change will be well on the way.

The creative entrepreneurship programme serves as nothing less than societal empowerment, a big leap towards economic growth.