Namibian arts institution where students exhibit work exploring cultural identity and heritage, and where educators including filmmaker Errol Geingob and choral director Ena Venter have taught.
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May 2026
Namibian Sun
Ena Venterserved as lecturer and head of department atthe College of the Arts
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“She later served as a lecturer and head of department at the College of the Arts (COTA), where she played an important role in the training and development of many young musicians.”
College of the Arts (Cota)awardedDiploma in Fashion Design and Visual Applied Art to Julia Kandjimbi
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“Julia Kandjimbi is the founder of Ish Namibia, a design company whose journey began in 2017, when she was a first-year student at the College of the Arts (Cota), where she later obtained her Diploma in Fashion Design and Visual Applied Art.”
Patrick Sikilizateaches visual arts atthe College of the Arts at Katutura
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“The singer is a ceramicist, visual artist, photographer and web and graphic designer, and currently teaches visual arts at the College of the Arts at Katutura.”
College of the Artsparticipates in'Art Splash' student exhibition at NAGN and NAA
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“Back at the NAGN and also at the Namibian Arts Association (NAA), 'Art Splash', an annual College of the Arts student exhibition is currently on display.”
College of The Arts (Cota)announced plans to jointly runa ten-month pilot programme on jazz and digitisation
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“The College of The Arts (Cota), in collaboration with the Unesco national office, have announced their plans to jointly run a ten-month pilot programme on jazz and digitisation.”
College of the Artswonbest fashion design educational institution of the year award
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“The awards, which had 88 nominees, saw only 22 winners, including Chelsi Shikongo who won the best social media influencer of the year award and the College of the Arts which won the best fashion design educational institution of the year award.”
Jackson Wahengo, a guitarist born in Swapo exile camps in Angola and Zambia, developed his Afropop-folk style by blending African traditions with jazz, zouk and reggae influences. Now based in Copenhagen, he has performed on European stages after learning guitar at age 14 and initially performing traditional songs and covers before joining Mighty Dreads in Windhoek.
Why it matters
Namibian musician Jackson Wahengo's journey from exile camp birth to Copenhagen-based Afropop-folk career showcases diaspora cultural achievement.
Jackson Wahengo, a guitarist born in Swapo exile camps in Angola and Zambia, developed his Afropop-folk style by blending African traditions with jazz, zouk and reggae influences. Now based in Copenhagen, he has performed on European stages after learning guitar at age 14 and initially performing traditional songs and covers before joining Mighty Dreads in Windhoek.
Ena Venter, founder of the Mascato Youth Choir, received a posthumous award recognizing her lifelong contribution to choral music in Namibia. Venter taught at multiple institutions including Suiderhof Primary School, the College of the Arts, and Windhoek High School, and led choirs that achieved international recognition through tours to countries including Israel, Germany, and Canada.
The annual 'Art Splash' exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia showcases work by Windhoek College of the Arts students exploring themes of cultural preservation, identity and the effects of modernity on tradition through textiles, ceramics, sculpture, photography and mixed media until 23 May. Featured artists examine how ancestral knowledge, indigenous symbolism and cultural practice intersect with urbanisation, religious faith and contemporary life.
Julia Kandjimbi, founder of Ish Namibia, has built a fashion design business that makes stylish clothing accessible and affordable while juggling full-time work and studies. She participates in African fashion events, mentors young designers, and serves on the Leather Working Group for SADC to help grow the fashion industry across the continent.
Errol Geingob, a Namibian filmmaker, writer, and co-founder of Desert Film Productions with over two decades in the industry, believes visual storytelling gives voice to the unheard and documents local realities. He has worked on productions including Tate Penda and taught at the College of the Arts alongside his film work.
Clothing retailer Big Daddy has called for local designers and entrepreneurs to apply for partnership opportunities in adult apparel, footwear, and accessories. Local designers welcomed the move as a transformative opportunity for small businesses and a chance to demonstrate the quality and competitiveness of Namibian-made goods in mainstream retail, though some noted challenges around production capacity and standardisation.
Thimbukushu women along the Kavango River maintain the tradition of playing the Ngoma, a traditional drum that comes in different forms for rituals, dances and celebrations, learning the skill through observation and practice. While some experts worry younger generations may not understand its significance as interest shifts toward piano and other instruments, the women assert that drumming remains deeply rooted in their culture and continues to echo through the Kavango East region.
Traditional drum playing—the ngoma—remains vital to Thimbukushu culture along the Kavango River, with women like Angelika Nduva keeping the self-taught skill alive through practice and community participation. While educators note declining interest among younger generations, cultural practitioners and researchers emphasize that documentation and continued performance are essential to preserving the tradition's rhythms and meanings.