STORY: Art transforms Namibian informal settlements, inspires hope
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 4, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 5, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:36
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Okahandja Park informal settlement, Windhoek, Namibia
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NDAKO NGHIPANDULWA, Namibian visual artist
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): THINYEMBA HIDIPO, Community member, Okahandja Park

STORYLINE:

Namibian visual artist Ndako Nghipandulwa is harnessing the power of art to alter the landscape of Okahandja Park, one of the oldest and most populated informal settlements on the periphery of Namibia's capital, Windhoek.

Nghipandulwa initiated the art project after observing discouraging inscriptions on a shack two years ago during a photography assignment in the area. With a grant from the National Art Council of Namibia, Nghipandulwa aims to ignite a spark of optimism within the community by painting each structure.

The project employs a community approach that includes training and empowering residents to take ownership. Each household gives consent, and dwellers participate in painting their homes.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NDAKO NGHIPANDULWA, Namibian visual artist
"We are here on Project Babylon, painting some of these homes here. We are hoping to change the landscape, you know, instead of having it be a silver town, make it something vibrant, something beautiful and impactful. As far as impact goes, it's just changing the aesthetics, and then maybe we can change how people view themselves. When things are more beautiful around you, things tend to be internally more beautiful."

Since its roll-out in November this year, they have jointly painted 20 homes. The painting includes shapes, patterns, and engravings of plants and wild animals to raise environmental protection awareness.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): THINYEMBA HIDIPO, Community member, Okahandja Park
"In the project, I am given the role of a supervisor where we do the painting and also to make sure that the members are painting it correctly. And also to make sure that the tools and other things that we use are in order, also to teach small kids how to paint and also the ones who are volunteering to paint."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)