Culture

Namibia To Kill Over 700 Wild Animals To Tackle Hunger

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2024

Namibia To Kill Over 700 Wild Animals To Tackle Hunger

Namibian government has launched a controversial animal culling program, targeting over 700 wild animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos.

The program aims to distribute the meat to those struggling with hunger, as the country grapples with its worst drought in 100 years.

According to the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the culling will be carried out by professional hunters in national parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers.

“The Ministry will contribute 723 animals comprising 30 Hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue Wilderbeast, 300 Zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands.

“The animals are sourced from national parks and communal area with sustainable game numbers,” the Ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, announced in a statement on Monday.

The program also seeks to reduce pressure on water resources and minimize conflicts between humans and elephants.

The drought has left an estimated 1.4 million people, half the population, facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

The government has declared a state of emergency, and the culling program is part of its efforts to alleviate the impacts of drought on the population.

“This offtake will assist in reducing the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in both our National Parks and Communal areas.

“There is no doubt that drought is affecting most sectors conservation included. This will assist in managing the current grazing pressure and water availability by reducing wildlife numbers in some parks and communal areas where we feel numbers exceed available grazing and water,” the statement added.

Namibia is one of several countries across southern Africa struggling with devastating drought driven by El Niño — a natural climate pattern which has led to sharply reduced rainfall in the region — and exacerbated by the human-caused climate crisis.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”