In its 'State of the Nation Address', the Independent Patriot for Change (IPC) said that for the creative industry to be realised, art needs to be integrated into the schools and institutions' higher learning curricula.
The art industry has become a source of livelihood and profession for many, and in recent years, efforts have been made to support it.
However, the IPC feels that much more still needs to be done.
"Our fashion designers hardly get any support from the government. Our visual artists are on their own with no significant support to keep their trade alive. The arts need a serious, massive boost and an informed market to attract audiences to the performances. It is a tough job—not one that the government should trivialise," said IPC leader Panduleni Itula.
In her State of the Nation Address, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said an amount of N$50 million has been set aside towards the hosting of the 2025 National Arts and Creative Industry Awards.
She also mentioned that the Arts Fund Act of 2005 will be reviewed to incorporate the Creative Industry Infrastructure and Equipment Fund.
All these efforts are aimed at advancing the industry.
Meanwhile, Dr. Itula also wants to see tangible action towards youth empowerment, which he said was not loud enough in the President's address, besides training schemes.
"What we need are bold initiatives, for example, a public works programme to employ youth in infrastructure projects or incentives for small businesses that hire first-time job seekers. Unfortunately, those specifics were missing. The IPC will continue to push for concrete action: we propose a national youth service corps that recruits young Namibians to work on housing construction, rural roads, and technology labs, paying them a stipend, teaching skills and building the nation in the process."
IPC also spoke about tertiary education, which will become free from next year, and questioned how quality education will be addressed.
He is of the opinion that there is a likelihood of less success in free tertiary education if certain aspects are not addressed.
"Beyond routine budget allocations for free access, a theme from the 2010 SONA, which failed within a year, this too is doomed to fail, as infrastructure development, funding for teachers, and job creation are not concomitantly budgeted. We propose an education quality emergency fund, aggressive teacher training, modernising curricula to match job market needs and ensuring accountability in schools and tertiary institutions for outcomes."
On the issue of land and housing, the party wants urban land to be declared a national priority and a portion of the budget to be directed to low-cost housing construction. It also advocates for land redistribution to be done in a fair process.