By Clemence Tashaya
EENHANA – Rising female Disc Jockey and Ohangwena Community Radio presenter, DJ Lusy, is determined to prove to the masses that it is not only men who can spin the decks.
Although new to this ever interesting game, DJ Lusy promises to surprise many with her skills and mellow voice. Having started her journey only last year, she has proven that she was born to entertain. But it was not all smooth sailing to where she is now with her popularity here in the North. “Most times male DJs work together and invite each other to show, so chances of seeing a female DJ at an event is almost zero. Even when we do get the chances to play, we have to prove ourselves three times or more than that with male DJs,” she says
At 25, DJ Lusy is already an inspiration to her peers in the Ohangwena community. She informs earning her peers’ respect because of her hard work and determination. “All the shows I play at, I always make sure that I leave a mark so that they do not forget me when they do other shows in the future. I love being told that I am good, so in order to hear that complement, I always make sure I impress,” she says
The bubbly DJ has a personality that suits her job. Her dress style is catchy and funky. “My dress code is simple although it looks a bit stylish, I love wearing jeans and T-Shirts, but I always make sure that the outfit is funky and attractive,” she says. The Oshakati born female DJ, born Lusia Immanuel says to stay relevant and on top of the game, she had to learn how to play the keyboard.”
“Since I am a soulful DJ, I have decided to learn the skills of playing a keyboard and piano as it goes well with the music I play on my sets. Not only do I want people to fall in love with my work and the music I play at public functions, I also want to leave them begging for more even on my radio shows.”
Apart from playing her decks at public shows like the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo, functions at bars here in Ohangwena region, DJ Lusy has demanding and popular shows here with the Ohangwena Community Radio listeners, (OCR). She presents music and talk show programmes such as “Drive Show” from 17:00 to 18:00 while she will be back with “Wake Up Show” in the early morning from 07: 00 to 0:900 on a daily basis. Apart from other announcements she does on this community radio from 12:00 to 13:00, she is also in charge of another agricultural show which has united all listeners from the North. “This agricultural programme has opened my eyes and we chat about agricultural activities as happening in the Ohangwena region. One other programme that I have gained popularity through is ‘Traffic Update’ to which the Namibian Traffic Police and concerned inhabitants in the region phone in and give tips and awareness to bad drivers on the Ohangwena roads.”
DJ Lusy blames the government for not doing enough for the community radios across the country. “Of course, I like the democracy and the media freedom we are enjoying in Namibia, and we are the best as a country with press freedom in Africa, but we need our community radios to be given that freedom rather than depending on regional councils, MISA and UNESCO for our sponsorship, hence we need the government to recognise us,” she bemoans
Finance, human resources and equipment has been a problem for most of the community radio stations in Africa, and Namibia has made strides in that regard. The young female DJ also advocates for community radio stations to be given their independence and freedoms when it comes to broadcasting in Namibia.
Having been raised by a single mother, DJ Lusy, a native of the Oneshila village, reveals that she was inspired by one of the popular Namibian female, DJ Chi-Chi. “Ooh vakwetu, I can’t wait to meet her personally. She is my darling and motivator when it comes to radio Dee Jaying and public events management in Namibia,” she excites. Currently DJ Lusy is undergoing a three year course in Bricklaying and Construction Level 2 at the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC). College life has also contributed a lot to her broader knowledge and skills. “Now that I can spin the decks and with my profile here in Ohangwena region, I have been promised to play at some of the prestigious functions such as the annual Kapuka Tournament, Eenhana Business and Trade Expo and the Omaongo Festival and I promise them the best,” she says
To her, balancing school work with being a DJ work is easy.
“I love studying because education is very important and I give my college (vocational) work the attention it deserves and I have been passing with flying colours. At the end of the day, I want something to fall back on in case I do not make it as the best DJ in Namibia, although that is highly impossible,” she signs off.