KIFA WEEK PROGRAM

 

WINDHOEK — The countdown has officially begun for Namibia’s premier cultural showcase. On October 3, 2026, KIFA Week 2026 will officially pull back the curtain on its highly anticipated festival program, operating under the game-changing theme: "Impact Economy."

Spearheaded by the Peace String Network and Born A Star Academy, this landmark week transitions the arts from a celebratory platform into a powerful economic engine designed to drive commercial viability for creative industries across the trans-Kalahari corridor and the greater SADC region.

KIFA Week 2026

KIFA Week 2026, taking place from 30 November to 5 December 2026, is the principal annual culminating period of the KIFA Season under the theme “Impact Economy – Culture as Infrastructure.” It brings together artists, creative practitioners, institutions, development partners, professional networks, audiences and other stakeholders for a concentrated programme of artistic presentation, professional development, creative enterprise, institutional engagement, networking, market activity and cultural exchange.

The 2026 programme is designed to provide both a public cultural platform and a professional development environment. It includes live artistic performances, theatre, music, creative presentations, professional and industry engagements, development sessions, stakeholder meetings and opportunities for artists and creative practitioners to connect with audiences, institutions, markets and potential partners.

KIFA Week 2026 also provides the institutional launch environment for the PSN Amigo Initiative within KIFA, creating an opportunity to introduce and develop relationships with Founding Institutional Amigos and other strategic stakeholders.

The week therefore serves three connected functions: celebrating artistic work, developing creative capacity and building relationships that support the future development of the creative sector.

This positioning is consistent with KIFA's established festival character: previous KIFA programming has combined performances with workshops, discussions and other forms of creative exchange.

A Massive Double Launch at the Hilton Windhoek

In a major expansion move, organizers have added the Hilton Windhoek as a premier venue partner. On September 15th, the specific schedule for the Hilton Hotel will be revealed—including details for the exclusive, high-level launch of the Artistic Gathering of Southern Africa (AGSA) taking place right at the hotel during KIFA Week.

AGSA will debut as a multinational summit at the Hilton, uniting SADC policymakers, Investors and creators to launch a regional Artist Guild and contribute knowledge to towards assetization of intellectual, the fight against property piracy along trade and transport network.

Driving NDP 6 and Global Goals 

KIFA Week 2026 is built to deliver measurable progress. The festival’s "Impact Economy" framework serves as a direct implementation partner for Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6)—specifically driving Pillar 1 (Economic Growth and Resilience) and Pillar 2 (Human Development) by upskilling youth and scaling the creative sector's contribution to national GDP.

Furthermore, the festival directly advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

How to Access the Program

The full interactive timetable, masterclass registration portals, and public ticket sales will all launch concurrently on 3 October, 2026.

Stay tuned and turn on notifications for the official KIFA Facebook Page to download the program the second it drops!

The Dark side of the 4th Industrial revolution: Why the Creative Industry is Southern Africa’s Last Line of Defense

N.J.K - Chirau

America was not giving 'health care' money for nothing to Zimbabwe. Behind the grants and the funding lies a deeper hunger: a quest for the region’s human bio-data. I have raised this point repeatedly, including to Pat Sam during our creative industry meet-ups in Namibia, but the urgency has yet to sink in.

If we do not examine the Nagoya Protocol through the lens of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI), we are doomed. We are currently witnessing a massive oversight in policy a gap where creative voices should be, but aren't.

The Missing Element: Creative Advocacy

Creatives are at the absolute forefront of human understanding. We see the patterns of culture and humanity before they become data points. This is why creative advocacy is the missing link in our current policy frameworks in SADC member state. 

For 10 years, I have advocated for the inclusion of "Copyleft" occupations within these policies. In Namibia and the SADC region we need a system that prioritizes open sharing and the protection of cultural integrity over the cold extraction of data. It is easy to dismiss a creative’s perspective as "abstract," but history has a way of vindicating the artist.

The Cycle of "Non-Essential" Spending

The truth usually reveals itself during a crisis. When the next state of emergency hits, watch how quickly these creative and cultural policies after millions have been spent on them suddenly stop being "essential." We then find ourselves trapped in a loop: millions spent, a crisis hits, the policy is discarded, and we return to the "review" phase.

This cycle is a failure of foresight.

Productivity’s Cradle

The bottom line is this: The Creative and Cultural Industries have the power to save society from the dark side of this Industrial Revolution. Why? Because creativity is the cradle of productivity.

When you hear an artist speaking up, understand that they are not just ranting to sound intelligent. Sometimes, they are the early warning system a voice crying out against intelligence that has gone on a rampage.

Cura Afrika Keynote Panel, titled “Southern African Creative Industries – Opportunities & Challenges: Developing Creative Trade Pathways”

This keynote panel brings together leading voices from across the region to explore how Southern Africa can unlock the full potential of its creative industries. The discussion highlights key opportunities, persistent challenges, and the strategies needed to build stronger cross-border creative trade pathways. Designed for artists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and cultural leaders, the session offers actionable insights for shaping a more connected, competitive, and innovative creative economy.

Moderator:

Dr. Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja is a resident cultural worker, educator and writer at Owela Live Arts Collective Trust (previously known as Kaleni Kollectiv) since its inception in 2014 . As a performance artist, his practice and research interests are in African performance archives and public cultures of social movements. He obtained a PhD in Performance Studies from the University of Cape Town and was previously trained at University of Witwatersrand and the University of Namibia. His musical and performance art work has been performed widely at festivals, museums, theatres and archives in India, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Cameroon, Senegal, United States of America and Namibia. Mushaandja is a Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Namibia where he trains theatre makers and teaches courses in voice, performance, writing and applied theatre practices.

Pannelist

Atang L.S. Arnold is a Botswana-based cultural leader, visual artist, and curator with over a decade in the creative and cultural industries. She is the founder of The Space Botswana and The Spaces Africa Limited, platforms driving creative innovation across Africa and internationally. A 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of Notre Dame and Oxford Climate Journalism Fellow, she is also an Earthshot Alumni and speaker at the 10th World Art Summit in Seoul. Atang was a panellist at PACT Zouverllin on Transdisciplinary Practices and an ESG Award Nominee in London 2025. Recognised by the Art Connects Women Award (UNESCO, Dubai). Atang is accredited by the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and the British Council. She has exhibited across Southern Africa, Europe, and America, and collaborated with organisations such as Conservation International, Afrikin during Art Basel Miami, SPANA-UK, and GIZ. Through her practice and leadership, Atang continues to advance conversations on storytelling sustainability, gender, and cultural identity in Africa’s creative landscape.

Takudzwa Kanyasa is an Information Systems and Management specialist and a seasoned Sound Engineer with advanced expertise in sound design, and setup. He is a consultant focused on acoustical design, musical equipment infrastructure, and manufacturing solutions. 

Leon Mubiana is a Namibian filmmaker and educator from Katima Mulilo. He earned his BA in Screenwriting and Directing from the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) in Cape Town. While at AFDA, Leon wrote and directed the award-winning short Intruder (Best Film, AFDA), and his early works Canvas and Chasm screened at the AFDA Experimental and Graduation Film Festival. In 2016 he received a Best Screenplay nomination at the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards.

Following graduation, Leon collaborated with New Era Publication Corporation to produce social-media and television commercials. In 2017 he presented six of his short films including Inonge, Sold Out, and Control at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre, exploring themes of betrayal and psychological intrigue. He subsequently wrote, directed, and co-produced his first feature, Lubinda, a crime drama about a retired criminal drawn back into the underworld to save his daughter.

Leon currently lectures in Television Production at the College of the Arts in Windhoek, mentoring the next generation of Namibian filmmakers. His creative vision and commitment to industry growth have made him a leading voice in Namibia’s emerging film community.

 

Guardians of Knowledge and Catalysts of Innovation: Curating spaces and resources that fuel the creative and cultural Industries

 

About the National Library

The National Library of Namibia is a reference library that supports education and research by providing all Namibians and Namibian libraries access to national and international information resources.

The Library is mandated by the National Library & Information Services Act 4 of 2000 to collect and preserve published documents and make them available. 

Objective

§  Preserve

§  Conserve

§  Appreciate

National Library Computer Lab 

National Library Reference Section

History

In October 1984, the library started as Estorff Reference Library.  It focused on providing reference, inter-lending and professional services to the general public.

In 1990 after Namibia’s attainment of independence, the library was placed under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport with the intention of developing a national library. 

 

In April 1994, the Estorff Reference Library officially became the National Library of Namibia and is now part of the Ministry of Education, Arts & Culture and was reopened in 2000 in this new building.

 

Core Functions

According to Section 5 of the Namibia Library and Information Service Act 4 of 2000.

User Services:

• Provide access to information resources preserve conservation
• Provide support services and conduct research
• Co-ordinate and supplement the collection

Embassy Of Venezuela donation

Bibliographic Services:

• Render bibliographic services and serve as the national bibliographic agency;
• Build through legal deposit or other means, a collection of material emanating from Namibia or relating to Namibia;
• Act as central agency that provide International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) and International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSNs).
• Promote awareness and appreciation of the existence of Namibia's national

Collection includes:

Namibiana

Rara (rare),

Manuscript, and

Newspaper Collections

Government Gazettes – SA

 

General Collection

Total Collection Size = 279,382 item records

Namibiana = 127,851 catalogue record

 

Current & Future Projects

Visually Impaired People Section (VIP Section)

The National Library is in the process of establishing a Section for the visually impaired library users, that would develop specialized information services to meet the library and information needs of their visually impaired clientele. The main objective of this new unit is, to empower the socio-professional integration of people with visual impairment into library services. We have recently signed an agreement with South Africa Library for the Blind, and are still sourcing from different parties to fully establish this section.

 

General Collection

National Digitization

Namibia Library & Archives Service is spearheading the Namibia Digital Research output library repository that aims to develop an interoperable system for this project. The primary purpose is to enhance the dissemination for accessibility and visibility of research outputs from across Namibia institutions responsible for conducting research, by enabling all research outputs to be searched and accessed from a single web-based one stop search platform. A concept note was drafted to outline the plan of the project including the cost to source for funding towards the project.

 

Namibia National Bibliography

The National Library of Namibia is mandated to act as the national bibliographic agency under the Namibia Library and Information Service Act No.4 of 2000.

Namibiana Collection

The NNB is a very important tool that records the country’s publishing output; promotes awareness of the nation’s cultural heritage and appreciation of the arts; makes available information needed by decision-makers to create an appropriate framework for sustainable social and economic development; and provides the nation’s technical and environmental data for research and innovation. It also contributes to universal bibliographic control. Therefore, measures must be taken to ensure the regular and timely compilation and production of the NNB.The final editing of the NNB 2017/18 will soon be completed for the publishing of the document.

National Library & Information Consortium of Namibia

Namibia Library & Archives Service through the National Library of Namibia is spearheading; National Library & Information Consortium of Namibia to bring different information organizations together to acquire electronic information resources on a lower cost.

Benefits of consortia;

§  Provides access to a wider number of electronic resources at substantially lower cost;

§  Smaller institutions (historically unable to afford many journals), can have access to wide range of journals

§  Optimum utilization of funds.

§  Better terms of licenses for use, archival access and preservation of subscribed electronic resources, which won’t be possible for any single institution;

 

KOHA

The National Library of Namibia is currently using Symphony as a library management system, but is in the process of creating a library with KOHA Open Source Library Management System with the intention to migrate to cut cost on the subscription fees.

 

Publishers workshop

Publishers Workshop (Windhoek)

As a mandated library by the Namibia Library and Information Service Act, Act No. 4 of 2000 to promote awareness and appreciation of the existence of Namibia’s national heritage, the National Library of Namibia had a Publishers Workshop on 05^th October 2023 with a follow up meeting with different O/M/As on a regular basis.

The objectives of this activity is to;  

§  To ensure that the Namibia publishing standards improve.

§  To address the publishing challenges and the low standard of books published by self-producers. 

 

Japanese Embassy Donation

Partnerships

§  MoU was signed with the South African Library of the Blind (SALB) recently to collaborate towards the establishing of the section for the visually impaired.

§  MOU signed with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in library Services & Information Science.

§  Book Donations from different Embassy’s: Japan, Turkey and Venezuela.

§  UNESCO: NATCOM in celebrating annual World Book & Copyright Day

§  Directorate of Arts: NACN collaborating in bi-annual Literary Festival

Meet the Chief Librarian of the National Library of Namibia

Ms. Hedwich Meyer; Chief Librarian (National Library of Namibia)

Ms. Hedwich Meyer is the Chief Librarian at the National Library of Namibia, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing national information resources, promoting access to knowledge and guiding strategic library development. With over two decades of experience in the field, she has been a dedicated contributor to Namibia’s library and information service sector since 2003.

Hedwich holds a National Diploma in Library and Information Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Science both from the University of Sou

th Africa(UNISA). Her academic background with extensive experience shaped her into a skilled leader that advocate for information accessibility, digital transformation in libraries and promotion of literacy in and across the country.

Throughout her career, she has steadily risen through the ranks, demonstrating commitment, innovation and leadership in various capacities.

Building Creative Futures

Where imagination meets investment, opportunity is born.

The Industry Insight Investment Clinic has become one of KIFA Week’s most transformative spaces, where ideas are sharpened into ventures and artists learn to navigate the business of creativity. Facilitators in finance, law, and creative entrepreneurship will guide participants through project design, intellectual property protection, and market strategy.

As Namibia enters a season of both artistic expression and civic decision-making, KIFA’s approach is clear: empowerment through knowledge. Whether it’s understanding contracts or understanding one’s civic rights, informed participation is key. This clinic encourages young entrepreneurs to think beyond the stage, toward sustainability, ownership, and collaboration.

The creative economy doesn’t exist in isolation; it grows from the same soil that nurtures democracy — shared responsibility, opportunity, and access.

To register for this session, email bornastaracademy2@gmail.com or call +264 85 736 7900.

Connecting the Creative Economy

A continent’s strength lies in its creative networks.

At the heart of KIFA Week 2025 stands the Cura Africa Keynote Panel — a conversation about Southern Africa’s creative economy and how it can open pathways for trade, innovation, and social inclusion. The dialogue gathers policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural producers to explore the intersection between art, technology, and enterprise.

As Namibia prepares for both a landmark festival and a national election, the timing of this conversation is symbolic. Economic participation and civic participation share the same foundation: access and opportunity. When young people are empowered to create, learn, and lead, both their communities and their democracies grow stronger.

Happening at 1100 am on the 25th of November at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre, The Cura Africa dialogue challenges the region to view creativity as infrastructure — capable of building livelihoods, strengthening education, and fostering integration. It is a reminder that our creative choices and our civic choices both shape the societies we inherit.

Register to attend the Cura Africa Keynote at bornastaracademy2@gmail.com or call +264 85 736 7900.

KIFA WEEK 2025 'Imagine Namibia' Opening Ceremony: The Stage of Nations

The Opening Ceremony of KIFA Week 2025 on the 25th of November 2025, will bring together ministers, diplomats, artists, educators, and cultural entrepreneurs under one light — not as separate sectors, but as collaborators in a shared story of renewal. The ceremony marks more than the start of a festival; it is a statement of unity, inviting every Namibian to see imagination as an act of nation-building.

This year, the week long festival coincides with an important civic season — the local authority and regional council elections, scheduled for 26 November 2025. KIFA Week honors the democratic spirit that these elections represent: participation, representation, and voice. Just as artists express themselves on stage, citizens express themselves at the ballot. These acts shape the future.

On the Franco Namibia Cultural Center stage, the message is clear — creativity and democracy thrive together when built on respect, inclusion, and dialogue. Through Exhibition, speech, and performance, the Opening Ceremony will remind audiences that Namibia’s true power lies not in competition, but in collaboration.

For registration and participation, email bornastaracademy2@gmail.com or call +264 85 736 7900 to receive your official KIFA Week 2025 registration link.