‘Oshana Fest’ goes to the city

The annual ‘Oshana Fest’, held in northern Namibia for the past five years, will be hosted in Windhoek for the first time.

The ‘Oshana Fest: 061 Edition’ will be held from 2 to 4 August at the Sam Nujoma Stadium and aims to focus on entertainment, youth empowerment, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and exhibitions.

“We thought that if the turn-up in the north was massive given that it was a small spectrum, it turns out that the idea of bringing it to the city will work,” says one of the organisers Jason Bernarud.

The idea behind the move to Windhoek was the large number of people who travelled from the capital attend the event in the north every year, he says.

“It was also a matter of exploring diversities of culture, as the city is a place of opportunities and everyone from every clan and kind would be found in the city.”

The 061 Edition will be hosted under the theme, ‘Entertainment Through Diversity’.

Another organiser, Erikan Shinoto, says this year’s theme highlights the festival’s dedication to offering a rich and varied entertainment experience that mirrors the diverse cultures and backgrounds of its participants and audience, particularly within the Namibian context.

“By focusing on diversity, the festival aims to showcase a wide range of artistic expressions, including music, dance and performances from different regions and communities across Namibia and beyond borders,” says Shinoto.

This approach not only enhances the entertainment value of the festival but also promotes cultural understanding and appreciation among attendees, he adds.

Shinoto encourages the participation of artists and entertainers from various ethnic groups to create a platform where diverse Namibian talents can shine and be appreciated by a broad audience.

He says the festival aims to create a unique and enriching experience that reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary diversity.

The two organisers say there will also be a wide range of activities and attractions on offer, including live music, dance shows, cultural exhibitions, SMEs and youth empowerment, as well as food and craft markets.

This time around they also included workshops and panel discussions focused on topics such as entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and cultural preservation.

In terms of musical performances, the festival has invited two international artists – Sandile Fortune Msimango, better known as Young Stunna and popular for hit singles ‘Bopha’ and ‘Adiwele’, as well as LeeMcKrazy, a highly accomplished amapiano vocalist from South Africa, to headline the event.

Local artists such as One Blood, DJ Vuyo, Yeezir, Kandy, Angiessss, Manxebe and MxA DJs are also set to perform at the festival.