Windhoek. 30 July 2026.
Statement by Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of the Official Opening of the MTC KasiVibe Festival, under the theme “Building Opportunities for Namibia’s Youth through Entrepreneurship and Innovation”.
Director of Ceremonies;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers Present;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Honourable Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Governor of Khomas Region and other Governors Present;
Regional and Local Authority Leaders;
Captains of Industry;
Development Partners;
The MTC Leadership Team;
The Organisers of the MTC KasiVibe Festival;
Esteemed Entrepreneurs, Artists, and Innovators;
Distinguished Guests;
Members of the Media;
Fellow Namibians;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I express my appreciation to the organisers of the 2026 MTC KasiVibe Festival for the invitation extended to me to be part of this well-thought initiative.
I commend the founders of the MTC KasiVibe Festival, Willibard and Salmi Shigwedha, the young Namibian couple who created a platform that empowers young people by providing opportunities to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures, creative talents, products and services.
My great admiration goes to the partners and sponsors of this annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and families from across the country.
The story of every successful nation is written by its people, the innovators who create, the entrepreneurs who invest, the artists who inspire, and the young men and women whose ideas shape the future. And this is what we are witnessing here today.
Of most significance, this festival is aligned with one of our national priority areas of development, namely the creative industry. As we all know, the creative industry is innovation because you cannot create if you are not innovative.
Therefore, it is highly gratifying to me as the Head of State to see how Namibians are embracing the NDP6 and becoming part of its implementation.
It is my strong position that if all of us, including the youth who constitute the majority of our population, believe in our developmental agenda as set out by our Government, together we will be successful, thereby bringing about balanced prosperity for all of us.
The progress of this Festival is a testament to the determination of our youth and the innovative spirit that runs through our society.
The Festival’s success is a source of pride for Namibia, demonstrating the power of collective effort and the positive impact of investing in our creative and entrepreneurial sectors.
Director of Ceremonies,
The MTC KasiVibe Festival has proven that our people do not lack talent; they simply lack a space and a stage to showcase their talent and their products.
It further reminds us that business and innovative ideas do not only come from big offices, but they also sprout from our towns, villages, informal markets, homes and communities. Indeed, business and innovation are present around us every day, everywhere.
Namibia is a young country—not only in terms of its history, but also in the demographic makeup of its people. This means that the majority of Namibians are youth, full of energy, ambition and new ideas, eager to contribute, learn and lead. This is a powerful advantage that we must harness.
Today, entrepreneurship is not only about opening a business. It is about solving problems and creating value. It is the chef who turns local ingredients into products people love. It is the musician who reaches the world through digital platforms. It is the township entrepreneur who creates jobs for their neighbours. These are the people moving Namibia forward.
This is why youth empowerment and the creative industries remain so important to the Government as part of Namibia’s National Development Plan 6 and contribute to economic growth.
There are several programmes targeting youth from various perspectives, dedicated to providing equitable access to quality skills training for all young people and empowering them through sustainable livelihood initiatives such as the Youth Credit Scheme, semester-based short courses at Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centres, the National Youth Service, the Equipment Aid Scheme Programme, and the Youth Development Fund.
We want young people to move from having ideas to building real, sustainable businesses. And for that to happen, they need support, mentorship, markets, funding, skills and the right networks.
However, we must also be clear: the Government cannot do this alone. To ensure access to finance, education, digital infrastructure, mentorship and markets, we must all contribute and play our respective roles.
The private sector should continue investing in young people. Financial institutions should become more open and accessible to start-ups. And as communities, we must support local businesses because when they grow, our economy grows and we all benefit.
When we speak about the creative economy, we speak about real jobs and real businesses. Music, film, fashion, digital content, gaming, visual arts, photography and design are not just hobbies. They are industries. They can create income, attract investment and take Namibia’s story to the world.
I commend MTC for its ongoing investment in the Creative and Cultural Industries and for creating platforms that provide opportunities for young Namibians. We value your contribution to Namibia’s socio-economic advancement. This is what partnership looks like: Government, businesses and communities working together to create opportunities that people can actually use.
As we look ahead, we need to shift the strategy from hosting events to building creative infrastructure. Let us bridge the gap between raw grassroots passion and sustainable creative careers.
Let us build a Namibia where innovation thrives. Let us create a Namibia that celebrates entrepreneurship. Let us build a Namibia where every young person has the confidence to dream and innovate, and the opportunity to prosper.
As I conclude, let me end with a simple reminder: the greatest resource Namibia possesses is not beneath our soil. It is not our minerals. It is not only our landscapes. It is our people—especially our young people.
Therefore, let us invest in them. Let us believe in them. Let us open doors for them. Let us empower them.
Together, we can build a Namibia that is innovative, inclusive, prosperous and ready for the future.
I wish the MTC KasiVibe Festival every success.
May this gathering inspire new businesses, new partnerships, new ideas and new opportunities for today and for the generations that will follow.
I thank you.
