.. As Nascam pays measly amounts to artist
Tiri Masawi
Long neglected, the arts and creative industry is part of the sectors that Government is strongly considering for assistance.
Minister of Finance Ipumbu Shiimi told unWrap.online that while the arts industry was left out in the initial bailout package announced to cushion the country from the crippling effects of COVID 19, it remains a key sector that needs support.
“Of course we need to make a strong consideration on the availability of funds that are being distributed but the arts industry is also part of the sectors that qualify for government-guaranteed loans that we are putting in place,” Shiimi said.
Ironically the arts industry is one of the key employers of young people and in a rather astonishing development, Namibian Society of Authors of Music (Nascam) in their recent report showed that they paid a measly sum of just above a dollar to one of the least paid artists.
Shiimi said the artists were not left out by Government but rather the country is battling to make ends meet and needs to look at priority sectors first.
