The UNAM Performing Arts Showcase Week 2025, taking place on 23 and 24 October, promises two nights of exceptional storytelling, movement, and music; all drawn from the raw, lived experiences of Namibia’s brightest young artists. The University of Namibia’s Performing Arts Section, in collaboration with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN), is once again shining a well-deserved spotlight on the next generation of Namibian performers.
Now in its fourth year, the annual UNAM Performing Arts Showcase has become a vital platform for final-year students to bridge the gap between academic learning and the professional world. It invites public audiences, industry players, and fellow creatives to witness performances that reflect Namibia’s cultural pulse, often addressing contemporary and social issues that resonate deeply with today’s youth.
This year’s programme is divided into two parts. Day 1: Music & Drama (23 October) will open with performances by the UNAM Brass Band, Mbira musicians, the celebrated UNAM Choir, and a devised theatre piece titled, Lines, directed by section lecturer Dr. Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja. Rooted in the archives of feminist organisation Sister Namibia, Lines uses feminist documentary theatre techniques and choreography to revisit Namibian women’s stories.
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Day 2: Dance, Movement & Music (24 October) will highlight original choreographic works by senior students, Echoes of the Ancients, The Puppeteers, Secret, and The Hollow Vein: In the Wake of Her will be performed, closed by the UNAM Band. The week concludes with a free improvisation workshop on Saturday, 25 October, led by Dr. Mushaandja at the NTN Dance Rehearsal Room. The workshop is open to actors, dancers, and all creatives.
Behind the stage lights and applause lies an inspiring group of young artists ready to shape Namibia’s creative landscape. The senior students featured in this year’s showcase reflect the diversity, innovation, and determination that define UNAM’s Performing Arts Section.
Caitlin Theron embodies the fusion of dance and theatre. A classically trained ballet dancer and co-owner of Codesync Dance Studio, Caitlin brings refined movement and storytelling to the stage. Having worked with Namib Film Production and performed at the 2024 Otjomuise Live Arts Festival, her work blurs the lines between stage and screen.
Petronella Didalelwa, another standout, blends acting, music, and character study into her work. Her approach to theatre is deeply collaborative and rooted in musicality.
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Meanwhile, Kayla Fortuin represents versatility. A third-year student in Music and Drama, she has excelled both as a rhythmic gymnastics judge and a contemporary dance choreographer.
Mnelisi Bhembe, known on stage as THVTO, brings poetic depth to the lineup. As an actor, vocalist, and sound technician, his work explores themes of identity and resilience. His performances often blend spoken word and music, offering audiences an emotional and introspective journey.
The showcase also features Felicitas Egumbo, a social science major with a passion for community engagement and the arts, whose creative work often intersects with social commentary; and Lekenanda Mpingana Eliakim (stage name Be-Fresh), a cultural dance enthusiast and experienced performer whose extensive theatre credits include The Fish Climbing a Tree and Walkers/Workers.
Adding to the diverse ensemble, Nomsa Lungile Hara, a Malawian actress and writer, steps into directing this year with Cheaters by Jean-Pierre Martinez, her first production of a play she did not write. Her previous works Stay Married and Family Tales explored infidelity and abuse, signaling her commitment to telling difficult but necessary stories.
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Lastly, Vaino Shipombo, a musician and founder of the fashion label Goonsville Garments, blends music, media, and style. Through his podcast House of Art Namibia, he continues to spotlight and celebrate local creatives.
As the lights dim at the National Theatre and the first note or movement begins, audiences will witness more than just student performances, they will see Namibia’s future cultural leaders in motion. The UNAM Performing Arts Showcase Week 2025 stands as a reminder that art is not merely about performance; it’s about expression, collaboration, and the courage to tell one’s truth.
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