By Charmaine Boois
Mariental, 27 July 2023 – This is a tale of art, tradition, and opportunity. Meet Romanus Kayanga, a visionary 31-year-old photographer hailing from Mariental, Namibia, who is making waves in the bustling streets of Chicago by promoting local brands through the captivating lens of street photography. His work has caught the attention of a well-known model agency in the city, offering Namibian designs a chance to shine on an international stage.
While in the vibrant city of New York, Romanus serendipitously connected with a prominent model agency in Chicago, eager to collaborate with an African photographer for their street photography projects. Seizing the opportunity, Romanus skillfully showcased not only his photography talents but also the cultural richness of Mariental’s local brands, including the likes of Milk Honey, Gevaarlik, and his mother’s very own creation, TalsarazaAibes Fashion. The latter, featuring shirts made from the exquisite khoe-khoe Nama traditional material, particularly captured the imagination of the model agency, leading to their purchase of the designs to explore future clothing possibilities.
“I am overjoyed to witness the admiration our country’s traditional material has garnered. It’s inspiring to see their interest in working with Namibian fashion designers in the years to come,” expressed Romanus with enthusiasm.
Romanus Kayanga’s journey to the heart of Chicago’s fashion scene was no mere coincidence. As one of the chosen Namibians and the sole resident of Mariental, he participated in the prestigious Mandela Washington for Young African Leaders. Selected as one of the 25 esteemed fellows, Romanus is currently engaged in a six-week institute hosted by the University of Iowa, refining his leadership and business acumen.
With a versatile background encompassing over a decade in information technology, more than six years in education, and extensive experience in the media industry, Romanus currently serves as a systems administrator and IT specialist for the Hardap Regional Council. He actively focuses on network administration and computer software and hardware maintenance.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Romanus is the proud owner of the Kayanga Media Group, a company dedicated to media and information and communication technology. Through this venture, he initiated two remarkable community projects: “ICT for All,” offering free ICT training to the local community, and “Media for All,” providing young individuals with training in videography and photography.
Romanus spoke passionately about his goals, saying, “My objective is to ensure that all communities in Namibia, especially my region, have access to information and technology using the knowledge and skills I gained from this fellowship. I want to provide my hometown’s residents the opportunities they deserve by empowering and preparing them.”
Romanus Kayanga’s journey is far from over, as he has been invited to the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit from July 31 to August 2, 2023. At this gathering, he will engage with U.S. government agencies, business representatives, and organizations with a vested interest in Africa. These interactions will pave the way for enduring partnerships, allowing Romanus to further his leadership pursuits beyond the fellowship.
“With the knowledge and skills I have acquired, I am eager to collaborate with small businesses from my town and region on projects that will open up opportunities for them too when I get back,” affirmed Romanus with great anticipation.
In the dynamic intersection of art, tradition, and opportunity, Romanus Kayanga’s journey serves as an inspiration, proving that a single visionary artist can bridge continents and bring well-deserved recognition to local brands from the heart of Mariental to the bustling streets of Chicago. As he continues to explore uncharted territories, Romanus remains committed to uplifting his community, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and creativity. ~Namibia Daily News
