Katima Mulilo:Katima Mulilo Mayor Kabende Kabende has praised the Namibian Government's eighth administration for prioritizing the creative and cultural industries as key national focuses.According to Namibia Press Agency , Kabende highlighted the recent establishment of the Namibia Cultural and Creative Industry Council and the forthcoming launch of the Namibia Creative Industries Awards as evidence of the government's commitment. Speaking at the University of Namibia's annual cultural festival in Katima Mulilo, he addressed the youth, emphasizing their role as creators and innovators in shaping the country's economic future.Kabende urged young people to move beyond being mere consumers of culture to becoming active creators, encouraging them to professionalize their talents, commercialize their creativity, and protect their intellectual property. He stressed the importance of education and culture, describing the festival as a platform to showcase their convergence.He also outlined three areas of gove rnment action: free higher education, investment in the creative economy through revised legislation, and the development of sports and tourism to boost entrepreneurship and employment.The cultural festival, attended by academics, politicians, and regional traditional authority representatives, spans four days under the theme 'Empowered by Education, United by Culture.'