Namibian youth, artist respond to climate change with artwork

Visual artists and learners paint a mural during the Otjomuise Live Arts Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 11, 2021. 

At Eldorado Secondary School in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, local visual artist Ndako Nghipandukwa with learners at the school, painted a mural illustrating the vision for a greener Namibia.

WINDHOEK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of miles away from the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, youth and a local visual artist in Namibia are adding their voice to climate change using artwork in the Namibian capital of Windhoek.

At Eldorado Secondary School, local visual artist Ndako Nghipandukwa with learners at the school, painted a mural illustrating the vision for a greener Namibia.

"Themed 'the Redeemer,' the mural is a call to action for us all to make deliberate efforts to sustain the environment for future generations, hence the importance to involve young people in this project," Nghipandulwa said on Thursday.

Nadoshma Roman, school head girl, said that learners' participation in such a project inculcate a sense of responsibility and care for the environment among young people.

According to Roman, the motivation is for the school community to make the school greener and more environmentally friendly.

This mural, which is facing the main road, can influence change in broader society, she said. "This is also an element through which we can add our voices to ongoing discussions and negotiations underway in Glasgow," she added.

School principal Slaw Kheder said that the school, which is benefitting from the program, supports various actions in Namibia to respond to climate change.

The program is a way to spread the message to sustain the aspirations for the planet, Kheder said. "It further complements activities of our school's environmental club."

Moreover, the mural, painted as part of the first-ever Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (OLAF), reiterates the crucial role of arts in transforming mindsets toward the environment.

Michelle Namases, cultural program officer at the Goethe Institute, co-organizer of OLAF, said that the festival would feature 30 artists for the weeklong activities across the city.

The project is aimed at bridging life and arts in the city and addressing social challenges including climate change through arts, she said.

The European Union also supports the project in Namibia.

"Important and immediate action is required to address climate challenges, and Namibia is not exempt," Sinikka Antila, the European Union ambassador to Namibia, said.  ■