Zebaldt Ngaruka 

Opuwo Youth Choir from Kunene region will represent Namibia at the Africa Asia Pacific Choir Games which kicked off on Saturday and will end on  5 October in the Mauritius capital, Port Luis. 

The Games incorporate the Grand Prix of Nations Mauritius 2025, and offers the Open Competition, the Champions Competition, and the Grand Prix of Nations. 

The three competitions allow choirs to participate at an appropriate level and can even qualify to compete at a higher level.

Founder of the Opuwo Youth Choir (OYC) Mbaseua Tjongarero, speaking to New Era from Mauritius on Saturday, said the choir had landed safely in Mauritius and was ready to fly the nation’s flag high at the world stage.

“We are all happy, confident, and ready to shine for our country. Our preparations have been superb, and the support we got back home has led us this far,” Tjongarero said.

Before their departure for the games, the OYC held a preparatory event at the College of Arts in Windhoek which they also used to raise funds for the trip.

Tjongarero said the choir also aims to showcase rural Namibian youth’s potential and dynamic culture on a  global stage, inspiring education, community development, and rekindling the spirit of Opuwo. 

The choir consists of youths aged from 10 to 35 years including out of school youths from different parts of Kunene region. They sing in indigenous languages. Tjongarero says this is not the first time they are performing outside the country.

“We have also performed in Botswana and Zambia and that was really a big achievement and one of the highlights for our choir. We appreciate that great opportunity,” he said.

The choir also won the Hymn Competition held in Oshakati in 2019.

New Era also spoke to some choir members ahead of their trip to Mauritius to get their feelings  on representing Namibia at the international competition.

Kareepamue Mbunguha said the trip is a step forward for OYC and Namibia at large as Africa Asia Pacific Choir Games is one of the world’s biggest choir competitions. 

“This is a great experience for me too. Flying my country’s flag means a lot, and I am confident of bringing glory to the Land of the Brave,” Mbunguha said, adding that she was also excited at the opportunity to travel by plane for the first time in her life. Not even the sky is the limit for them, she says. 

“This achievement is a historic moment for us. We are all from Opuwo, have never travelled by air before, and by this trip we have made history for ourselves,” Mbunguha said. 

Kaitike Katjimune, the third voice singer, said he was happy to be on the trip although he was nervous about travelling by air.

“Despite that, I am proud of myself and the entire choir for the outstanding work we have done to get recognition. We are now the national team for Namibia and not just Opuwo Youth Choir,” he said.

Katjimune (23) added that their preparations for the competition had gone well, and he is looking forward to bringing glory to Namibia. 

“Our throats are clear and we ready to sing for our country,” he said. 

Tjongarero acknowledged the support the choir got from Opuwo Town Council, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Sport, Youth, Arts and Culture, Kunene Regional Council, and all other institutions and companies that pledged support for their trip and other engagements. 

“We are grateful and appreciate your support and we will represent our country with confidence and pride,” said Tjongarero.

The choir departed for Mauritius on 25 September and is expected back in the country on 6 October 2025.