Page 19 - Windhoek Graduation (20 May)(SESSION 2)(PhDs, Masters)

Executive Dean: Dr Alfonse Mosimane
Faculty of Education and Human Sciences
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Associate Dean: Dr John Nyambe
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION
(ADULT EDUCATION)

CANDIDATE: MUULILA Aina P

CURRICULUM VITAE

Aina Paulina Muulila was born at Oshipanda, Oniipa Constituency in the
Oshikoto Region. She matriculated at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in the
Oshana Region. Her qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Anthropology
from the University of Madras -India, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Adult
Education) and a Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Namibia.
Her professional career includes working as a Training Officer at Project HOPE Namibia, a Culture Officer at the
Directorate of National Heritage and Culture Programmes in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and
currently as a Senior Community Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. She serves as
an Executive Committee Member at the Museum Association of Namibia and an Alternate Board Member at
the National Heritage Council of Namibia. Her research interest includes community-based heritage tourism,
traditional life skills, rural women entrepreneurship and community livelihood.

CANDIDATE’S DISSERTATION

THE ROLE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE TOWARDS SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NAMIBIA: CASE OF OSHIKOTO
REGION

The doctoral study was undertaken and completed under the supervision of Dr Nchindo R. Mbukusa (University
of Namibia) as Main-Supervisor and Prof. Rakel K. Shalyefu (University of Namibia) as Co-Supervisor.

Drawing its theoretical overviews from the Cultural Values and Culture–Oriented Economic Development Model,
this study explored the role of cultural heritage towards socio-economic development. The study focused on the
socio-economic significance of cultural heritage tourism and creative industries and their impacts on the local
communities’ livelihood in the Oshikoto region.

A qualitative study guided by the interpretative phenomenological design provided the opportunity for heritage
practitioners in the Oshikoto region to describe and discuss their meanings and perspectives on the phenomena of
cultural heritage as an engine for socio-economic development. A targeted population of 58 heritage employed
in different institutions dealing with cultural heritage-related projects. The heritage practitioners represented a
range of occupations related to cultural heritage preservation, promotion and development. A sample of 20
participants was selected using a purposive sampling that includes the key-informant technique. Data were
collected using in-depth interviews, documents analysis and a focus group discussion and analysed using the
thematic data analysis method.

Among many, the study revealed that cultural heritage through cultural heritage tourism and cultural creative
industries plays a role in employment creation, income-generating preserving local culture, and history and
identity, uniting people and can be used for counselling and therapy. Poor funding, lack of documentation of
cultural heritage, poor marketing and lack of marketplace for heritage products are among many challenges
facing the cultural heritage sector in the region. The study recommends an increase in funding and intensified
documentation of cultural heritage in the region.

Furthermore, the study suggested the capacity building of cultural practitioners and the development of cultural
heritage related curriculum and courses embedded in lifelong learning and talents. Stakeholders’ collaboration,
hosting of cultural events, establishment of cultural villages and cultural routes and usage of technology is
highly recommended for cultural heritage development. The study hopes to influence cultural heritage actors
to re-strategize and relook suggested approaches for cultural heritage resources development, promotion and
preservation for sustainable heritage tourism. Therefore, the researcher proposed the Heritage Tourism Development
and Marketing Model as a strategy for heritage tourism development at the communities’ level in Namibia.

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