NFC offers ten scholarships to marginalised youth

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Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 4 Hours Ago

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) launched the country’s first Bachelor’s degrees in Digital Arts and Animation, marking a shift towards professionalising the local creative economy. Announced during the opening of The Film Week on 12 March, this initiative is bolstered by a major scholarship programme aimed at inclusivity.

To ensure these new academic pathways reach beyond traditional student demographics, the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) is offering ten scholarships specifically designed for talented individuals from marginalised and underrepresented communities who demonstrate artistic passion and strong writing ability, even if they do not meet standard university entry requirements.

The sponsorship provides access to the inaugural "Digital Arts and Animation" cohort, where recipients will undertake five specialised short courses in Scriptwriting, Film Production, and Animation.

This targeted support aims to expand pathways for employment and ensure that authentic Namibian stories are told by a diverse range of voices.

The scholarship announcement served as a focal point of The Film Week, a four-day collaboration between NUST and the NFC.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Niikondo emphasised that such partnerships are essential for building a competitive and sustainable creative industry. By aligning academic training with industry practice, the programme intends to provide students with direct engagement with professionals currently shaping the global creative landscape.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus supported this vision during her keynote address, noting that a successful film sector requires more than just raw creativity. “It demands a foundation in business development, international collaboration, and technical expertise; skills these new degree programmes are designed to cultivate.”

The urgency of this academic investment is highlighted by the surge of young talent being recognised by the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards, where several young filmmakers secured major nominations. These included Best Newcomer Director nominee Othilia Mungoba, and short-film creators such as Laudika Hamutenya (Emanya) and Ndakalako Shilongo (Momeya), whose works demonstrate the high-calibre storytelling the NUST programmes seek to foster.