Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday lauded the MTC Kasi Vibe Festival for its role in creating opportunities for small businesses and the creative industry. She emphasized that the event serves as a crucial platform for young Namibians to display their talents, products, and services.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Head of State officially inaugurated this year's festival edition at Brakwater Recreation Park. She praised the event's founders for establishing a venue that empowers young individuals through entrepreneurship and innovation. 'I commend the founders of MTC Kasi Vibe Festival, who created a platform that empowers young people by providing opportunities to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures, creative talents, products and services,' Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted the festival's alignment with the government's focus on the creative industry under the sixth National Development Plan, highlighting the importance of innovation and creativity in driving economic growth. She remarked, 'The story of every successful nation is written by its people, the innovators who create, the entrepreneurs who invest, the artists who inspire, and the young men and women whose ideas shape the future. And this is what we are witnessing here today.'
She pointed out that while Namibia has abundant talent, there is often a lack of platforms to showcase ideas and products. The president called for increased collaboration among the government, private sector, and communities to support youth-owned businesses through better access to finance, mentorship, skills development, and markets.
Furthermore, she acknowledged the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), the festival's main sponsor and partner, for its investment in the country's creative and cultural industries. The MTC Kasi Vibe Festival, inspired by the concept of neighborhood, integrates a marketplace for SMEs with music, sport, and lifestyle entertainment, offering emerging businesses access to customers and new markets.
MTC has committed to the festival through an annual sponsorship of N$1 million. This year's edition features about 150 exhibitors from across Namibia, presenting a wide range of goods, services, and innovations.