The Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has urged entrepreneurs to legitimise their businesses.

Ballotti said this during the Heritage and Cultural Entrepreneurship workshop hosted by the ministry at Swakopmund.

Ballotti called on Namibian entrepreneurs to do away with the side hustle terminology and legitimise their entrepreneurial efforts, should they require funding from financial institutions.

He said excuses such as long registration processes should stop.

He added that every individual has the right to do business and enjoy other fundamental human rights.

"In this era of innovation and digital transformation, culture remains an anchor. Culture reflects our identity; it encapsulates our values, and it carries forward the wisdom of generations, but culture is not only about preservation; it is also about creation, innovation, and sustainable development. Cultural entrepreneurship is that which transforms heritage, art tradition, and identity into viable economic opportunities."

Ballotti said the ministry has integrated the culture and creative industries into the framework of NDP 6, which will be launched soon.