Young Mariental entrepreneur dreams big
With a promising future and a dream to make a positive impact on the lives of young Namibians, 31-year-old Mandela-Washington fellow Romanus Kanyanga says mentorship is key to overcoming unemployment.
After returning to his hometown of Mariental in July from a six-week professional development programme hosted by college and university campuses across the United States through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Kanyanga has hit the ground running with a brand-new venture aimed at teaching young people the ins and outs of the media industry.
Kanyanga established the 'Media For All' initiative in 2019 through his company, Kanyanga Media Group, to "teach young unemployed individuals the required media skills and how to start a media business".
He said the goal of the project is to "teach young unemployed individuals the required media skills and how to start a media business. We then teach them video editing and photo editing abilities so they can create their own content. We teach them not only how to capture and edit but also how to teach."
Impressive debut
During his time at the University of Iowa in the State of Iowa, Kanyanga won U$5 000 (N$95 550) during a business pitch competition. Kanyanga said he will use this prize money to further invest in his business venture and renovate his current workspace.
"I currently only have two employees, but I have plans to grow my company and offer additional job opportunities to the young unemployed youth in my community," he explained.
"A portion of the money I've received will go towards organising a few fundraisers to provide local schools with ICT resources and other necessities like ink and paper for printing, etc.," he added.
Uplifting young Namibians
The fellows were supported in their development of leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with US leaders, and collaboration with members of the local community.
Kanyanga said he draws inspiration from his late father, Petrus Kanyanga, who was a photographer and one of the "first black photographers in Mariental" during apartheid.
"He taught me all there is to know about photography and cinematography. Seeing my father start his photography business with such enthusiasm made me fall in love with the art of photography and telling stories through photography," he said.
The entrepreneur said he hopes to expand in 2024 and accept at least five young people, two females and two males, with the addition of one person with a disability to promote inclusivity.
After returning to his hometown of Mariental in July from a six-week professional development programme hosted by college and university campuses across the United States through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Kanyanga has hit the ground running with a brand-new venture aimed at teaching young people the ins and outs of the media industry.
Kanyanga established the 'Media For All' initiative in 2019 through his company, Kanyanga Media Group, to "teach young unemployed individuals the required media skills and how to start a media business".
He said the goal of the project is to "teach young unemployed individuals the required media skills and how to start a media business. We then teach them video editing and photo editing abilities so they can create their own content. We teach them not only how to capture and edit but also how to teach."
Impressive debut
During his time at the University of Iowa in the State of Iowa, Kanyanga won U$5 000 (N$95 550) during a business pitch competition. Kanyanga said he will use this prize money to further invest in his business venture and renovate his current workspace.
"I currently only have two employees, but I have plans to grow my company and offer additional job opportunities to the young unemployed youth in my community," he explained.
"A portion of the money I've received will go towards organising a few fundraisers to provide local schools with ICT resources and other necessities like ink and paper for printing, etc.," he added.
Uplifting young Namibians
The fellows were supported in their development of leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with US leaders, and collaboration with members of the local community.
Kanyanga said he draws inspiration from his late father, Petrus Kanyanga, who was a photographer and one of the "first black photographers in Mariental" during apartheid.
"He taught me all there is to know about photography and cinematography. Seeing my father start his photography business with such enthusiasm made me fall in love with the art of photography and telling stories through photography," he said.
The entrepreneur said he hopes to expand in 2024 and accept at least five young people, two females and two males, with the addition of one person with a disability to promote inclusivity.
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