On 17 October 2025, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), Hon. Dr. Sanet L. Steenkamp, warmly welcomed a delegation from Berlin, led by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Mr. Kai Wegner and city of Windhoek Mayor, Her Worship, Cllr. Ndeshihafela Larandja.
The visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for both existing and future cooperation between Namibia and Berlin.
Key discussions centered on fostering collaboration across culture, education, and sports.
In the cultural sector, the delegation and Ministry officials are exploring partnerships involving museums, archives, and universities, with particular emphasis on collaborations between UNAM and Freie Universität Berlin (FU). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is planned for signing in November 2025, highlighting the commitment to deeper academic and cultural exchange.
On education, the discussions aim to advance Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives, supporting Namibia’s ongoing efforts to enhance quality learning and skill development.
The meeting also emphasizes sports development, including expanding basketball initiatives with ALBA Berlin and soccer collaborations with institutions such as Riverheights, while exploring other potential areas for sporting cooperation.
Also in attendance are Mr. Gerard Vries, Executive Director of Youth, Sports and National Service; Dr. Thorsten Hutter, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Namibia; and Ms. Sarah Weld-Wilson, the Cultural Senator of Berlin, who accompanied the delegation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening city-to-city partnerships and cultural exchange.
This engagement marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Namibia and Berlin fostering mutual growth through education, culture, and sports.
