13 April 2020 TO: Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture Ministry of Information and Communication Technology CC: National Theatre of Namibia National Art Gallery of Namibia National Arts Council of Namibia Namibian Arts Association National Museums of Namibia Film Commission of Namibia Museums Association of Namibia Namibia Broadcasting Corporation Namibian Society of Composer and Authors of Music Goethe-Institut Namibia United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization College of the Arts Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre City of Windhoek RE: NEGOTIATING STRATEGIES OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC SURVIVAL FOR ARTISTS, CREATIVE INDUSTRIES & CULTURAL WORKERS IN TIMES OF COVID-19 AND BEYOND Dear leaders, We hope this letter finds you well, safe, and sound in these uncertain and worrying times of COVID-19. We would like to thank the Namibian government and other local institutions for responding and putting measures in place to address this global pandemic. We welcome the safety and survival interventions spearheaded by the government such as the national lockdown and the Economic Relief and Stimulus Package. As you may know, this situation has made it extremely difficult for most low-income workers and marginalized members of our society, presenting more economic and social challenges. It is a known fact that most artists and creative communities are on the margins of Namibian society considering that we do not have a ready policy framework, fixed income and social security mechanisms in place. Nor do we have a union to monitor policies, pay, health insurance. Therefore, many of us consider ourselves to stand in solidarity with homeless people, unemployed youth, poor people, sex workers, women and children as well as informal traders who are all affected by this situation. 1 The creative and sports industries rely on mass gatherings for revenue streams, livelihood and market exposure. This pandemic hits these industries but the creative and cultural industries workforce will bear the toll even more due to the lack of support from institutions and government entities, whereas the sports industry has dedicated bodies and private sector interest. Majority of the workers in this sector are self-employed and will face significant disruptions to their livelihood and future. If the cultural sector’s workforce is not assisted during this tumultuous time, it will cause severe or irreversible ramifications which would halt or impede on the activity of the industry, leading to a slow and arduous recovery time. The pandemic has spread widely in many countries around the world as well as here at home, where many doors have closed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. As such, we have taken the initiative to organize and prepare ourselves for the uncertain times ahead. We trust that it is still possible to find collaborative approaches between ourselves, cultural organizations, government, the private sector, and civil society. More so, we also recognize our potential for creative expression as a way of educating and mobilizing society in the fight against COVID-19. These are the times when artists and cultural workers are critically useful in offering messages of healing and social consciousness. Moreover, it is the musicians, technicians, comedians, graphic designers and creatives who have come to the fore in this difficult time of lockdown. Apart from the technical information about COVID-19 from our government, businesses, health institutions and NGOs, the other main source of relief and information comes from Artists. We are the ones informing, entertaining and creating during this time of no personal contact. Artists are filling the gaps in our lives where before we had each other. Artists are, in many ways, as important as other essential services as a way to unite, inspire and instill hope for an otherwise isolated nation and individuals forced to stay at home, often alone. Artists bring together our community and communicate valuable messages mainly via social media and online platforms. Alongside nurses and other health workers, food producers, transport and energy networks, and educational institutions, the value of Artists has become increasingly apparent. In this time of crisis and isolation, the role of art becomes more central to our lives. Artists need support to continue their work to inform and entertain Namibians. It is against this background that we individual artists, creatives, performers, cultural workers, television workers, filmmakers, technicians, service providers and supporters of the arts and culture community write to your institution to kindly consider our proposal below. We are also eager to know what mechanisms your institution has in place to address the current situation. 2 1. Projects already in the process of implementation: We urge that all projects currently running still continue by either postponing and negotiating how they can be reimagined and sustained in times of COVID-19 and beyond. Some artists have expressed their fear of their projects being cancelled as a result of the pandemic. We urge your institution to work closely with the relevant artists to negotiate the survival of projects. 2. Artistic and cultural responses to COVID-19: Artistic and cultural work also complements social, educational, therapeutic and community work. The arts and culture sector have practitioners with skills in Applied Arts and Creative Therapies (in social, educational and health contexts). These skills can support existing efforts to fight against COVID-19. There are effective artistic and cultural methods of doing public education on the pandemic. 3. Setting up two types of solidarity fund programs: 3.1 Emergency grant solidarity fund program - for artists and bodies whose performances or exhibitions are either unexpectedly cancelled or indefinitely postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.2. COVID-19 Artists’ solidarity fund programs - For individual artists and bodies considering supporting creative expression potential as a way of educating and mobilizing society in the fight against COVID-19. 3.3. In line with the April 1st, 2020, Minister of Finance document, “Economic Stimulus and Relief Package: Impact of COVID-19 on the Economy and Households”, and specifically referring to section 6 that, “The Package is directed at: - • Formal and informal businesses in sectors which are directly or indirectly affected by the lockdown measures and other external and internal demand and supply side shocks. • We are humbly requesting that artists and creative industry practitioners, who have paid their taxes and whose business is creating art, content, and offering creative services, be considered to be eligible for “Relief Measures for the business sector, as per section 7, including subsections a) to d) and g) to h), inclusive. 4. Investing in local content and payment of royalties: 3 We call upon both the public and private broadcasters in television and radio to uphold playing majority locally produced content to enable artists to earn royalties and to encourage Namibians to enjoy and consume Namibia art during this trying time. This request extends to the regulating bodies such as NASCAM, to ensure that royalties are regulated and paid to artists for airplay. Way forward: We remain open to partaking in this discussion and formulating an actionable way ahead. This public letter is co-written and endorsed by the following artists, creative industry professionals and cultural workers; 1. Zindri Swartz 2. Lavinia Kapewasha 3. Ndeenda Shivute 4. Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja 5. Esmeralda Cloete 6. Kulan Ganes 7. Joseph Madisia 8. Frieda Luhl 9. Jackson Wahengo 10. Malua Malua 11. Fellipus Negodhi 12. Vitjitua Ndjiharine 13. Trianus Nakale 14. Gideon Megameno Kashile 15. Michelle Isaak 16. Tomas Kleopas 17. Aili K. Mvula 18. Ester Hikumwa 19. Rupare Domingo Tjindumba 20. Frans Uunona 21. Elizabeth Shinana 22. Frans Nambinga 23. Tulina Nakashona 24. Davido Indongo 25. Elia Shiwoohamba 26. Jaimee-lee Diergaardt 27. Denzel Haufiku 28. Sebastian Gregory Namaseb 29. David Linus 30. Tuaovisiua Katuuo 4 31. Actofel Ilovu 32. Shivute Ismael 33. Laimi N. Mbangula 34. Wayne Andy Goliath 35. Petrus Shiimi 36. Peter Kewowo 37. Helen Harris 38. Dingalo Shinyama 39. Peter Mwahalukange 40. Lorraine Dausab 41. Kleopas Jambeinge 42. Saima Iita 43. Lahia Musimani 44. Amuthenu Petrus 45. Bianca Ahrens 46. Inovandu Katuuo 47. Saara Nekomba 48. Marina Indongo 49. Moses Shikongo 50. Lizette Kavari 51. Hildegard Titus 52. Desiree Kahikopo 53. Thanky Laudika Hamutenya 54. Keith Vries 55. Florian Schott 56. Lamek Ndjaba 57. Konis Henok 58. Jason Shivute 59. Robert Shipanga 60. Ronald James 61. Vilho Nuumbala 62. Marchel Linus So/oabeb 63. Lovisa Abner 64. Cecilia Oletu Nghidengwa 65. Frieda Karipi 66. Jason Kooper 67. Hage Mukwendje 68. Michelle A. Namases 69. Girley Charlene Jazama 70. Samuel Batola 71. Rodelio Lewis 72. Opas Onucheyo 73. Deonerica Kuhlmann 74. Donald Matthys 5 75. Leitago /Narib 76. Mulima Yeta 77. Andrew Botelle 78. Cecil Moller 79. Bartholumeus Nkandi 80. Angelo Viringa 81. Selvanus Valombola 82. Antonius Tsuob 83. Errol Geingob 84. Gotlieb Geingob 85. Michael Basson 86. Ellen Ernest 87. Prince Kamaazengi Marenga 88. Trixie Munyama 89. Tulonga Wahengo 90. Gift Uzera 91. West Uarije 92. Hazel Hinda 93. Onesmus Upindi Jr. 94. Tanya Stroh 95. Ndakolute Ndilula 96. Glaucio Ngaca 97. Lize Ehlers 98. Bret Kamwi 99. Jeffrey Hiuii 100. Tjiuru Kuajonganga 101. Jeannelle Kapukar 102. Jambo Shipanga 103. Frans Koolike 104. Gina Figueira 105. Lafika Joyce Heita 106. Luis Munana 107. Kevin Katokele 108. Anne Hambuda 109. Lila Swanepoel 110. Elzane Ludeke 111. Quin-Leigh Hammond 112. Natache Sylvia Iilonga 113. Kalenga Bonifatius Fikameni 114. Sally Jason 115. Jerry-Joe O O Omole 116. Lilani Kisting (Adora) 117. Matheus Erastus 118. Zenobia Murorua 6 119. Twapewa Amutenya 120. Daryn Roberts 121. Nikolai Tjongarero 122. Merja Iileka 123. Bianca Heyns 124. Hafeni Frans 125. Whilzahn Gelderbloem 126. Kamangili Max-Mutumbulwa 127. Kevin Wessels 128. Diana Masters 129. Frieda Mukufa 130. Walter Kahivere 131. Masiyaleti Mbewe 132. John Kalunda 133. Gerson (Bross) Gawanab 134. Vickson Hangula 135. Penny Heelu 136. Vernna Muronga 137. Rivonia Beukes 138. Musongo Johannes 139. Tove Kangotue 140. Monica Iyambo 141. Albertina Musilika 142. Vaja Tjipueja 143. Kaarina Nambinga 144. Mariruavi Kauazunda 145. Sepiso Mwange 146. Setson Wahengo 147. Tapuwanashe Munyayi 148. Xavierie M 149. Philippe Talavera 150. Monray Garoeb 151. Desmond Kamerika 152. El Junita Philander 153. Mary Jane Andreas 154. Sophia Janser 155. Nelawence Somseb 156. Jeffrey Ndjahera 157. Sandra Ndjadila 158. Ndemufayo Kaxuxuena 7
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