TSUNGAI GOMBA
Lusaka
IN A society rich with young talent, the struggle for recognition remains a challenge for many individuals.
Everyone is competing for opportunities to showcase their abilities and some do succeed while others continue to struggle.
One such sector that continues to lag behind is the creative industry. Despite its immense potential, the creative industry has often been overlooked or underutilised by both citizens and policymakers.
Yet, it plays a crucial role in shaping culture, creating employment and driving economic growth.
One thing people do not realise is that out of this sector is where the great story tellers, who shaped many of our childhoods through their great stories be it orally or through cartoons, are born.
It is from the creative industry that we have professions like graphic designing, photography, content creation, film-making, music production, animation and many others.
These careers are not merely hobbies; they are legitimate professions that contribute significantly to national development.
And one thing the young population doesn’t realise is that while they sit and wait for many years for the government or some other private company to employ them, it is through the creative sector that they can become their own employers and contribute to the country’s overall job market.
It is through the creative sector that many young people can engage in entrepreneurship and become the employers that the society needs.
Photography, for example, is not simply about taking photos.
A photographer has the unique ability to see what others may not.
Through a single image, they capture emotion, highlight beauty, document history and tell a powerful story all without speaking a single word.
A graphic designer, on the other hand, is able to transform ideas into visual messages that inform, persuade and inspire.
From company logos to educational materials and digital content, graphic designers shape the way people interact with information.
Content creators have also emerged as key contributors to the modern economy. Through social media, they educate, entertain and influence millions of people.
Despite the impact of the creative sector, there are still very few beneficiaries to the sector’s importance and this is due to lack of an unequal platform for all creatives out there.
Very few people with such talents are given the opportunity to showcase them.
The creative economy is not merely a source of entertainment, it is a driver of innovation, employment and national development.
By recognising and investing in graphic designers, photographers and content creators, society can unlock opportunities for thousands of young people and strengthen the country’s economic future.
THE author is an economics student at the University of Zambia
