In a bid to reshape the landscape of the Okahandja Park area, Namibian artist, Ndako Nghipandulwa introduces “Project Babylon.” The initiative not only enhances the community’s aesthetics but also seeks to ignite a profound change in the way its people perceive themselves and their surroundings.
Okahandja Park, which lies in the heart of Windhoek, Namibia’s bustling capital, is one of the oldest and most densely populated informal settlements. Now, thanks to the transformative artistry of Ndako Nghipandulwa, this area has been colourfully revitalized.
Part of a transformative art project initiated by Ndako Nghipandulwa, aimed at engaging young and passionate individuals to bring positive change to their community through art is 16-year-old Portifar Clemes. Discovered by Xinhua, he is a newcomer to the world of painting, but he envisions a different, more vibrant scenery for his home. Inspired, Clemes as well as other youths have picked up a paintbrush to transform their desolate shanty town into a haven of art and hope
The community-driven endeavour involves training and empowering residents to take ownership of the project. With each household’s consent, dwellers actively participate in painting their homes. Since its November launch, over 20 homes have been collectively painted, incorporating shapes, patterns, and engravings of plants and wild animals to raise environmental awareness.
The project doesn’t just change how things look. People like Thinyemba Hidipo, who has lived in Okahandja Park for nine years, see signs of poverty as reminders that things can get better. Hidipo, who supervises the community, gets to show off his leadership skills, fulfilling his dream.
For resident Chrisantia Thitopogho, the art project also provides a platform to express hopes and aspirations, giving a voice to the voiceless amidst daily harsh realities. In a country grappling with high unemployment rates, art becomes a means of escape and inspiration, facing a 34 percent unemployment rate, reaching 48 percent among the youth population.
Youngsters like Portifar see art as a way to avoid the negative influences of bustling streets. For him, art is not just a hobby but a motivator to study better at school. As the community paints hope onto the walls of Okahandja Park, Nghipandulwa dreams of securing additional funding to extend its mission.
“With each brush stroke, we hope to cover more homes, even 10,000 of them, regardless of how long it takes us,” he declares, envisioning a brighter future painted with art and community resilience.
Ndako Nghipandulwa, a visual artist specializing in nail-and-string art, paintings, and drawings, embarked on a lifelong passion, starting with childhood doodles that initially lacked inspiration.
Speaking on the motivation for Project Babylon, Ndako Nghipandulwa stated:
“I believe in the potential of art to empower and uplift, and that’s why we actively involve both adults and children from the community in this creative process. Through this inclusive approach, we aim to kindle a newfound sense of pride and belonging, showing that art knows no boundaries. I want to be a living testament to the idea that art can bring about positive change in the most unexpected places.”
The project also received partial funding through a Grant from the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), with the opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein reflecting those of the Authors and not necessarily the NACN’s.
