New Era (Windhoek)
Frederick Philander
30 October 2009
Windhoek — A long-overdue intensive study on the plight and socio-economic conditions of all Namibian artists will start next week.
This was announced on Friday by the president of the Oruuano Artists Union, Banana Shekupe, during a press conference in the capital.
The study, to focus primarily on the music industry, the film industry and visual arts, is being done in conjunction with LaRRI and is financially supported by the Finnish Embassy.
"With this project my union aims to make sure that the social welfare of all Namibian artists is of decent quality in the fast growing and developing art industry. With such phenomenal growth many new challenges are also emerging," said Shekupe.
The study will specifically look at the problems artists are facing on a daily basis in trying to make a decent living.
"There are many school dropouts becoming musicians without proper guidance; in the industry there is a mushrooming of producers with no real professional training; artists struggle with employment contracts, inadequate pay and benefits, piracy, substance abuse and a total disregard for the reality of HIV/Aids," the union boss said.
According to him, though well coordinated with structures in place, these structures are not operating in the interests of Namibian artists.
"The future of most artists is constantly in the balance and not at all secured. Many artists live and die poor, even though they have made some money at some point of their lives. A proper understanding of the root causes of the problem is necessary. It is against this background that my union has approached LaRRI to assist in carrying out this study," he said and announced that the findings thereof will be eventually discussed and submitted to the government as/with recommendations.
"The outcome of the study will be used to pave the way on how best the industry can be organised and administered to the benefit of all Namibian artists and the country at large. The findings will also be used to develop ways in which the country's cultural heritage should be appropriately promoted and preserved," Shekupe said.
Selected study field workers will go around the country and interview artists in the different disciplines.
"I wish to urge all artists to cooperate with the union to ensure we get all the facts correct because it can have a bearing on the outcomes. It is imperative that the government and other stakeholders understand the nature and scope of the problems Namibian artists face," concluded.
The field workers will be collecting information and data on Namibian artists until the end of December after which time it will be analysed for discussion at an planned national artists gathering in 2010.
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