Namibia

_{Bank Windhoek Partners with Omba Arts Gallery}

<sub>Bank Windhoek announced their new partnership with the Omba Arts Gallery at a press conference held at the Omba Arts Gallery today.  The Omba Arts Gallery will now be known as the Bank Windhoek Omba Arts Gallery and exhibitions and events taking place at the Gallery will form part of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival.

"Bank Windhoek's partnership with the Omba Arts Gallery is tacit proof that Bank Windhoek is committed to the arts in Namibia and that this partnership demonstrates that we live up to our slogan of Together we do Better," said Marlize Horn, Senior Manager of Bank Windhoek’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Services.

The Omba Arts Trust is a non-profit Namibian initiative that aims to contribute to the development of the Namibian craft sector through the marketing and promotion of an uniquely Namibian identity in crafts and design. Bank Windhoek is continuously striving to promote arts and crafts in Namibia through the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival and the partnership between the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival and the Omba Arts Gallery will not only promote crafts in Namibia but also establish a platform for crafters to display their work. 

Since 1998, the amount of people visiting the Omba Arts Gallery per year has increased by 38,981 visitors and is becoming even more popular.  The Craft sector offers opportunities for job creation and skills training and is ideal for the development of small enterprises.

Bank Windhoek also announced at the press conference that they will once again be the main sponsor of the ATKV Pluimpie Awards.  This year will be the eleventh year that Bank Windhoek will be sponsoring the ATKV Pluimpie awards and it will form part of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival.

During the month of March 2007, art enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of different performances and exhibitions. These events include:</sub>

• _{Herman Mbamba' Art Exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia from 20 February to 12 March 2007.}
• _{Socratic Society of Namibia opening ceremony at the New UNAM Library on 1 March 2007 at 18:00.}
• _{Bank Windhoek ATKV Pluimpie Awards at the Kalahari Sands on 8 March 2007 at 19:30.}
• _{Fu'Jazz – Jazz and Jazz-Fusion events featuring various local Jazz bands taking place at the Warehouse Theatre form 11 – 25 March 2007 at 19:00.}
• _{Verskombuis – Afrikaans poetry presented by George Weideman at the National Library on 13 March 2007 at 19:30.}
• _{Sjordé – Vernon the Dream Catcher sings Country at Studio 77 from 28 to 30 March 2007 at 13:15.}
• _{The Magic of Opera and Operetta – Classical music performance taking place at the NTN on 30 and 31 of March 2007 at 20:00.}
• _{The Desert Painters – an exhibition of Malerinnen der Wüste taking place at the Woermannhaus Gallery in Swakopmund on 31 March 2007.}

<sub>You can visit the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival website at www.bankwindhoekarts.com.na for information on the monthly events taking place. Namibians can also read more about upcoming events in the local media and in monthly brochures available at Bank Windhoek branches in Windhoek.

Should you have any enquiries about the 2006 Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, please do not hesitate to contact Aldo Behrens, Coordinator of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, at 081 236 7491 or e-mail him at abehrens@unam.na</sub>