| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Cultural activities Cultural development is promoted by institutions such as the National & Mobile Museum, Museum Association of Namibia, National Art Gallery of Namibia, National Theatre of Namibia, College of the Arts, the Art Department at UNAM and the Bank Windhoek Namibia Theatre School. Reflecting the traditions of the many different groups that coexist in the country are: Namibian cultural groups performing customary African dances to rhythmic drumbeats. The COTA Youth Choir and Voices of Namibia choir, with singers drawn from different cultural groups singing songs that originate all over of the country. Multicultural events that include exhibitions, dance and music concerts featuring Namibian and international artists. The cultural activities of diplomatic missions have expanded the cultural dimensions of Namibians considerably, and helped promote rural art abroad. The Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) has been particularly active by organising different cultural activities and supporting all art disciplines. It regularly presents film screenings and courses in French, English, art, photography and cooking. Annual events on the arts calendar are: The Bank Windhoek Arts Festival (BWAF) stages an array of local and guest artists, and supports several galleries in Windhoek to present exhibitions of contemporary art and design. The Bank Windhoek Triennale, the biggest art competition for local artists in Namibia, is a joint art competition hosted by Bank Windhoek and the National Art Gallery of Namibia. The /Ae//Gams Arts and Cultural Festival usually takes place during the first week September at various venues throughout the city. The event showcases Namibia’s artistic and cultural diversity through music, cuisine, traditional attire, dance and song, contemporary visual arts, crafts, theatre and poetry. www.bankwindhoekarts.com.na www.cityofwindhoek.org.na
Literacy and education
The current literacy rate in Namibia is about 83%, one of the highest in Africa. • An estimated 94% of children between the ages of seven and 18 now attend school. • There are over 1 600 schools in the country, with an average learner/ teacher ratio of 29:1. • The University of Namibia (UNAM), Polytechnic of Namibia, Polytechnic School of Health and Applied Sciences, two agricultural colleges, four colleges of education (that fall under UNAM) and seven vocational training centres provide tertiary education. • The privately owned International University of Management (IUM) – which has its roots in the Institute of Higher Education (IHE) – was founded in 1993. • The Microsoft IT Academy was launched as a partnership between the Polytechnic of Namibia Centre of Entrepreneurial Development and Microsoft Tate Group. www.polytechnic.edu.na www.unam.na www.ium.edu.na
ART AND CULTURE Architecture The German-colonial architecture found in many of Namibia’s towns contrasts with the open expanses of African bush and savannah. Residences with wide, shady verandas reflect European architectural styles of the time, adapted to the local climate. In Windhoek, Swakopmund and Lüderitz many of these earlier buildings have been renovated as government offices, libraries and research facilities. New developments follow the post-modern movement, echoing the German-colonial style, with the emphasis on shape and colour. www.nia.org.na
Art and crafts The first artists of Namibia were the San (Bushmen), whose rock art can be viewed in shelters on mountains and hills throughout the country. Today, relative to its small population, Namibia has a surprisingly large and active community of artists and craftspeople. • The National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) and Arts
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Association Heritage Trust (AAHT) have comprehensive Permanent Collections of Namibian art that can be viewed by the public. • The Katutura Community Art Centre (KCAC) offers a wide range of training programmes for young artists and houses the John Muafangejo Art Centre, an NGO that also offers training programmes and exhibition space for young artists. • Work by contemporary artists and craftspeople can be viewed and purchased in galleries, craft centres, at urban and rural street markets, and along roadsides. The biggest of these is the Namibia Craft Centre (NCC) in Tal Street, Windhoek. Traditional crafts include woodcraft from Kavango and Zambezi; Owambo, Kavango, Zambezian and Himba baskets; and Bushman eggshell jewellery. Embroidery and appliqué work, wall hangings and carpets woven from karakul wool feature native designs of trees, animals and birds. www.nagn.org.na www.namibiacraftcentre.com www.cota.na
Performing arts The National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) is situated in the heart of the city, providing art lovers with activities ranging from theatre, contemporary dance and music to ballet and opera. Higher up in Robert Mugabe Avenue is the Bank Windhoek Theatre School. The College of the Arts and UNAM Performing Arts Department presents music recitals, art, drama, ballet and experimental theatre. The Warehouse Theatre in the Old Breweries Building provides a platform for theatrical and social needs. African music groups perform at the Windhoek Showgrounds and the Independence Arena in Katutura. www.ntn.org.na www.cota.na
The museum circuit A wealth of historical collections are presented as concise and viewerfriendly overviews of local history, natural history and cultural life to educate and interest children, members of the public and visitors to the country. • The National Museum of Namibia houses collections of more than two million cultural and natural history
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