The Oshakati Town Council has come under criticism from artists after announcing a N$500 non-refundable application fee for those who want to be part of the Oshakati Totem Expo.
In a post shared on Facebook, the council said applications are now open and forms can be collected from their offices, with only shortlisted artists set to be contacted.
The fee has sparked frustration online, with many artists questioning why they are required to pay such an amount without any guarantee of being selected. One commenter asked, “So if you’re not shortlisted the whole 500 is gone?” while another said the requirement is “downing our talented upcoming artists.”
Beyond these comments, the general reaction has been largely negative. Many artists described the fee as too high, especially for upcoming creatives who are already struggling financially. Others compared the cost to what N$500 could do elsewhere, such as paying for studio time, arguing that the money might be better invested directly into their careers rather than into an uncertain application process.
There were also concerns that the fee could discourage participation and limit opportunities only to those who can afford it. While application fees are not unusual in some industries, particularly for large-scale events or international platforms, they remain relatively uncommon at a local level in Namibia’s creative sector.
In those cases, organisers often argue that fees help cover administrative and event costs, but critics say they can also create barriers for entry.
The situation has reignited a broader conversation about access in the creative industry, with some questioning whether opportunities are becoming harder to reach for emerging artists.
Attempts to get comment from the Oshakati Town Council were unsuccessful.
