By Selma Neshiko
WINDHOEK– Talent, talent, and talent. This is only what one can say after witnessing the first ever Namibian Annual Dance Day (NADD) at the Goethe Centre recently.
Seeing the underground dancers presenting themselves at NADD , one could not but wonder how a group of extremely cocky young dancers from different backgrounds suppressed their natural desire to impress, in a dance form practically built on showboating. Even if many dancers did not give their best, they still made up for it with their enthusiasm and energy. NADD featured a lot of brilliant dancers and many must have been enjoy watching them move and watching array of dancers, coming out and doing what they love just for fun but at the same time giving it their all proving how much talented Namibia is but without the platform to showcase it. One of the organisers, the Creative Director of Equipped Entertainment, Stanley Mareka, was more than exciting after the showcase, saying that more than 100 dancers took part in the event, which proved that dance in Namibia can grow.
“Performance art is big in our country and NADD proved it. I realise dancers are use to indoor dancing, which I will call “kombuis dans” and some of the dancers are really struggling to go somewhere. I was really surprised how people sat in the sun cheering just to show support, it was perfect,” said Marek. He added that such events are difficult to maintain without sponsors but does it because of his passion for dancing. “I do it because of the passion and lack of arts centres in Namibia. Talent cannot die in my eyes and therefore I wish one day I can get government support and uplift the industry. The dancers really pulled a crowd this time. I have been waiting for someone to get up and take a step but I cannot wait any longer, it’s my time to pull dancers’ socks. Local celebs like S-man also came to support the event, which is great start,” Mareka said.
The dancing showcase included a parade, jumping castle, face paints, Non-Temp tattoos, swimming, the Namibian police brass band and local cultural groups who came out into numbers.