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Annual Symposium Speakers
Annual Symposium 2022
2025 Theme:
Unleashing the Power of the Creative Industries
 
PANEL 1: The Value of Arts and Culture
Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Naufiku Hamunime (Moderator)
Ms. Naufiku Hamunime (Moderator)

Naufiku Hamunime is the Deputy Director for Corporate Communications & Sustainability at the Bank of Namibia. In this role, she is responsible for strengthening stakeholder engagement through strategic communication and transparency, advancing sector-wide dialogue on sustainable finance and climate related issues, and managing the Bank's international partnerships with central banks, multilateral institutions, and development agencies to support institutional learning, policy alignment, innovation, and formal cooperation. With a background in development economics, Naufiku brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position, having previously served as the Technical Expert for Sustainability & International Relations at the Bank of Namibia. Prior to joining the Bank, Naufiku held various positions at Standard Bank Namibia, where she developed her strategic acumen and research skills. Naufiku holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch Business School (South Africa), a Master of Science degree in African Development from the London School of Economics & Political Science (United Kingdom), and she obtained her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree in Economics and Geography from Rhodes University (South Africa).

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Avril Joffe
Ms. Avril Joffe

Avril Joffeholdsthe UNESCO Chairin Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy at the University of the Witwatersrand. She is an economic sociologist working at the intersection of academia and practice in the field of cultural policy, culture in urban life, culture and sustainable development, fairness in international cultural cooperation, decent work and the rights and status of artists and cultural professionals. Avril works with agencies, governments anda organisations across Africa and the Global South. Avril is an active member of UNESCO's Panel of Experts for Cultural Policy and Governance, the Global Creative Economy Council, the International Cultural Relations Research Alliance and on the external international advisory panel for the Horizon Europe programme IN SITU - Place-based innovation of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas coordinated by the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Recent public-facing research includes Informality and the cultural economy in the Global South, the Not a Toolkit for EUNIC's Fair Collaboration project, Promoting Decent Work for the African Cultural and Creative Economy for the ILO, China's Institutional Cultural Engagement in Africa for Ifa and the CPM-PKU International Summer School on the cultural and creative economy of South Africa and China.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Helvi Elago-Moshell
Ms. Helvi Elago-Moshell

Helvi Inotila Elago-Moshell is a creative, published author and passionate cultural heritage specialist with extensive experience in heritage management, cultural programme implementation, and the promotion of creative industries. She holds an MA in Heritage Management from the University of Kent, a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of the Western Cape, and a Bachelor of Education (majoring in Economics and Business Studies) from the University of Namibia. Currently, Helvi serves as the National Programme Officer for Culture at UNESCO Namibia, where she leads initiatives to safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritageandtopromoteculturalandcreativeindustriesinalignmentwithUNESCO's conventions and national priorities. Prior to joining UNESCO, she worked with the National Heritage Council of Namibia as a Regional Heritage Officer, focusing on heritage conservation programmes and strengthening community participation in heritage protection.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Malcolm Kambanzera
Mr. Malcolm Kambanzera

Malcolm Kambanzera is a Lawyer, Business Executive, and Consultant. Holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), a Diploma in Law (Paralegal Studies), and currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Management Strategy. Experienced predominantly in the Corporate Governance, Legal and Compliance, and Business Development areas. Having served in portfolios as a Business Developer, Company Secretary and Managing Director. My work at the National Youth Council includes strategic governance support, ensuring compliance, and legal and policy matters.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Venaune Ben Kandukira
Mr. Venaune Ben Kandukira

Big Ben (Venaune) is an award-winning Namibian singer-songwriter, performer, and cultural creator. Known for blending soul, Afro-folk, and traditional Herero influences, he has toured widely and released multiple acclaimed albumsthathelpedshape Namibia'scontemporary sound. Beyond the stage, he works to strengthen artists' rights and fair industry governance, serving as an advocate for copyright education and creative-sector development.

 
PANEL 2: Technology and the Creative Industry
Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Paulus Tshiningayamwe (Moderator)
Mr. Paulus Tshiningayamwe (Moderator)

Paulus Tshiningayamwe serves as the Director of Information Technology at the Bank of Namibia. With over 17 years of experience in Information Technology, he brings deep expertise in ICT strategy, IT infrastructure & operations, digital transformation, and cybersecurity governance. Beyond the Bank, Paulus actively contributes to national and regional forums on technology leadership and digital innovation, and has been instrumental in advancing ICT governance and infrastructure modernisation efforts. Paulus holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, an Honours in Computer Networking, and a National Diploma in Information Systems Administration from the Polytechnic of Namibia. He has also completed the Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School and executive programmes at the London Business School.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Frieda Etuhole Mukufa
Ms. Frieda Etuhole Mukufa

Born in Onamwoolo, in the Ohangwena Region, Frieda Ndeutala Kaunapawa Mukufa holds a Master's degree in English and Applied Linguistics from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, as well as an Honours degree in Communications. She is a Namibian writer, editor, and performance poet whose work moves between the personal and the political. With a background in communications, education, and literary arts, she has written for leading Namibian institutions while shaping bold brand narratives for clients across the creative and corporate sectors. A former Doek! Poetry Fellow and Spectrum Poetry Award winner, Frieda is also the founder of Damn_Etu, a poetry platform centered on healing, resistance, and the preservation of memory through performance. She has taught poetry in Namibian high schools, lectured English at tertiary level, and continues to use her voice to honour the lives of women and children, both on and off the page. In 2025, Frieda took to the stage as a TED Speaker at TED Swakopmund, further cementing her role as a cultural voice committed to dialogue, healing, and transformation.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Kevan McNamara
Mr. Kevan McNamara

Mr. Kevan McNamara is a Namibian born Architect with over 25 years' experience in Namibia, South Africa, and Ireland. He is a director of Kerry McNamara Architects Inc based in Windhoek, where he has been involved in the design and management of architectural projects for numerous tertiary education facilities, medical and hospital buildings, commercial offices and residential houses and lodges across Namibia. He also enjoys supporting the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors in developing and guarding the regulation and upliftment of the architectural profession in Namibia.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Cornelia Shipindo
Ms. Cornelia Shipindo

Cornelia Shipindo is currently the Acting Executive: NAM-CSIRT (Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team) operating under (CRAN) Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia. Ms. Shipindo is a seasoned Cybersecurity and ICT professional with over 13 years of experience across governmental, regulatory, and private sector. She holds a postgraduate in Information Systems Auditing, a degree in Systems Administration & Networks and various certifications. As a Certified Information Systems Auditor, she specializes in IT Risk & Compliance, Cybersecurity Strategy, and Data Protection. Cornelia is committed to strengthening Namibia's digital resilience and advancing national cybersecurity through awareness, collaboration, capacity building, international participation and affiliations such as GFCE, FIRST, AFRICA-CERT, SADC(SR-CIRT) and ITU Academy.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Ojoma Ochai
Ms. Ojoma Ochai

Ojoma Ochai is the Managing Director of CHUB, Africa's leading creative and innovation ecosystem enabler that supports and invests in tech and creative entrepreneurs to drive African prosperity. She co-founded CHUB's Creative Economy Practice and serves on global panels, including UNESCO's Expert Panel on Cultural Expressions, where she advises on the development of global creative industries, as well as Al and emerging technologies in the creative industries. With nearly 20 years of experience in international cultural relations and leading Creative and Digital Economy projects, she has worked with organisations such as the British Council, where she exited as Regional Director of Arts and Creative Economy Programmes for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021. She was also the board chair of British Council Nigeria Programmes Limited from 2019 to 2021. Ms. Ochai has also consulted on World Bank projects and advised various national governments and organisations in Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe on Arts, Culture, Creative and Digital Economy Programmes and Policy. She was a Rockefeller Bellagio Centre Resident in Italy in 2023, focusing on Al and Blockchain in Creative Economy policy. She serves on several boards, including Trust (backed by Jack Dorsey and Jay Z to support Bitcoin Open Source development in the global south), and Pixel Ray Studios, a film and content infrastructure company focused on Africa and the Caribbean. She is a trained Network Engineer and a graduate of the Postgraduate Arts Management Fellowship at the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, University of Maryland, USA.

PANEL 3: Business Models and Finance
Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Petrus Shifotoka (Moderator)
Mr. Petrus Shifotoka (Moderator)

Mr. Petrus Shifotokacurrently serves as Deputy Director responsible for Bank Resolution and Deposit Insurance at the Bank of Namibia. His primary role at the Central Bank involves the coordination of activities related to resolution planning and crisis preparedness as well as the administration of the Namibia Deposit Guarantee Authority where he has been seconded by the Central Bank to serve as Manager of Operations. Prior to joining the Bank, he served as an Economist at Capricorn Investment Holdings (CH) where he was responsible for conducting market and industry research as well as providing economic intelligence to the group of companies under the CIH. Before joining Capricorn Investment Holdings, he served as a Statistician for the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) under the National Planning Commission. Petrus obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Statistics and Demography from the University of Namibia and has completed a Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School. He obtained his Master's Degree in Economics of Development from the International Institute of Social Studies of the Erasmus University in The Netherlands.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Joel Haikali
Mr. Joel Haikali

Joel Haikali is a filmmaker, producer, trainer and creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience working across Namibia and internationally. As founder of Joe Vision Production, he develops and produces films that bridge local stories with global audiences. His credits include Pepe, Silver Bear winner at Berlinale 2024 and the Dominican Republic's official Oscar entry 2026 and My F*K Marelize!, Southern Africa's top-grossing local film in 2025. He co-initiated Namibia's first Creative Industry Guide, the Props & Costume Shop, the Creative Industry Institute, and the Tala Online Film Festival, advancing the country's creative ecosystem through collaboration and innovation.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Undamuje Uanguta
Ms. Undamuje Uanguta

Undamuje Ina Uanguta is an admitted Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Namibia and serves as a Senior Intellectual Property Officer at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA). She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Namibia and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property Law from Stellenbosch University. Her work focuses on developing, reviewing, and implementing Namibia's intellectual property (IP) laws, policies, and strategies, as well as providing legal and policy advice. Passionate about IP and its potential to drive creativity, innovation, and sustainable development, Undamuje is committed to advancing an enabling IP environment that supports Namibia's socio-economic growth and competitiveness.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Joseph Ailonga
Mr. Joseph Ailonga

Emerging in the late 1990s, Jossy Jossredefined Namibian pop music by masterfully fusing R&B/Hip-Hop with deep cultural roots. His 2002 EP," Efundula,"shattered sales records and established him as a national icon. His musical success, including the critically acclaimed albums "I Broke My Chains Loose," "Amushe," "Okamati Jossy," and "Deep in my heart," was soon amplified by an unprecedented triple-feat on Big Brother Africa (Field Presenter, Housemate, DJ, a continental engagement no other individual has achieved. Currently serving as the Chairperson of the NASCAM Interim Board, Jossy Joss's influence in media is profound, having served as the General Manager of Energy 100FM and spearheading the establishment of both Eagle FM (Namibia's first talk radio station) and Desert Radio. He was twice elected Chairperson of the Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN), where he was instrumental in developing the Access to Information Act. His communication expertise was recognized globally when he was selected as one of only two Africans to moderate at the 2023 UNESCO Global Conference in Paris, leading discussions on digital platform regulation.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Mr. Nesha De Jongh
Mr. Nesha De Jongh

Nesdha De Jongh is an accomplished banking professional with over 13 years of experience spanning banking, regulatory compliance, business consultancy, and SME development. As Head of SME Banking at FNB Namibia, he is at the forefront of transforming the SME segment into a digitally enabled growth hub, empowering entrepreneurs across Namibia through innovative financial solutions and strategic partnerships that fuel inclusive economic growth. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Compliance (University of Johannesburg), a BTech in Economics (NUST), and an Advanced Diploma in Banking and Finance (Institute of Bankers). Nesdha is a Certified Commercial and Credit Analyst (Corporate Finance Institute), complemented by multiple certifications in project management, process efficiency, ethics and risk. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Development Programme (University of Stellenbosch Business School) and is currently pursuing the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme. Driven by purpose and passion, Nesdha is dedicated to enabling entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow sustainable businesses that contribute meaningfully to Namibia's socio-economic transformation.

Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium true Speaker - Ms. Njoki Muhoho
Ms. Njoki Muhoho

Njoki C. Muhoho is a Cultural Architect, Executive Producer, Scriptwriter, Educator, and Management Consultant with over 22 years in film and TV and 35 years in management consultancy. A leader in African storytelling, she has produced films like Shanga and Mama Duka, and served as Chief Juror for Pan-African film festivals. She is a member of the International Emmy Awards and the founder of Women in Film and Television Kenya (WIFT Kenya). Njoki has been influential in talent development through roles like Lead Business Lab Facilitator at Durban Filmmart and Script Consultant with Africa No Filter. Asamanagement consultant, shehasworkedwith governments, international organizations, and businesses, specializing in strategy development, leadership, and culture change. She led the Kenya Revenue Authority's transformation and holds certifications in change management and mediation. Njoki has also served as Chair of the GoDown Creative Arts Centre and was a former Commissioner of the Kenya Film Commission. With a background in education and filmmaking, Njoki is dedicated to promoting African stories, gender equity, and sustainable transformation, blending creativity with professional excellence.

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