Frederick Philander
16 May 2008
Windhoek — The Santam 43rd Child Art exhibition project was this week ceremonially launched under the theme, "Magical Moments", for final judgment of 489 visual arts entries from the Namibian youth.
"A total of 63 child art works have been selected for the exhibition of which 14 of the best will be used in a company calendar publication. The aim of the event is to uplift the talent of the Namibian youth and to promote unity in diversity," said Santam Namibia Limited's chief operating officer, Franco Feris, on Tuesday.
The original 14 best works will be sold during a public auction that will be held at Studio 77 next Monday evening.
"The money so generated will be donated to Namibian schools to further promote art among the youth, whom my company can help influence positively," said Feris, who alluded to the fact that the auction last year yielded N$40000 that was donated to schools in the north.
The chief coordinator of the Bank Windhoek Festival, Aldo Behrens, at the same occasion urged Santam Namibia Limited as a corporate entity of the same bank to invest in more art forms for the Namibian youth.
"Any opportunity for the youth to expose their inherent creative talents should be welcomed because such efforts help to make better future adults of such children. Santam should seriously consider also sponsoring music, theatre, singing and dancing among youths that have the verve and talent in their pulse," Behrens said.
In the former academic's view, Namibian children are in many ways handicapped and inhibited instead of allowing them to be playful human beings.
"The art scope for Namibian children is endless and should therefore be encouraged to the benefit of the youth and the country," said Behrens, who intimated that he would do everything in his power to promote the Santam exhibition.
Actress Laurika Behrens read some children poetry at the launch of the exhibition.
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