Moses Sondre Tobias is visually impaired and continues to live his dream of making music to make people happy.
The 27-year-old language teacher at the Nakambuda Combined School in the Ohangwena region lost sight in both eyes at the age of nine.
Tobias told VIBEZ! he started making music in 2017 when he was a student at the University of Namibia (Unam) in Windhoek. His music genre of focus is Afro-Pop, and he has thus far released four albums.
“Music makes people happy and I wanted to be the reason why someone is happy and excited. I love singing. I love listening to music – and whenever I am alone, music keeps me company,” he said.
Tobias is super proud of himself and thanks God for everything he has achieved to this point.
“I am grateful that I am alive today. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in languages, yet I am also a part-time musician.”
Tobias performed at the Ongwediva Trade Fair in 2018 and 2019, and he was an Afro-Pop winner at the Oshakati expo in 2018.
He plans to release two albums this year.
Tobias appealed that people with disabilities be treated like abled-bodied people, especially in the music industry, saying it is rare to see a disabled person perform at big events like the NAMAs.
He further said disabilities should not stop people from coming up with something productive, because there are many opportunities out there for people living with disabilities.
“To my fellow youth out there, believe in yourself – be you; stay true to yourself. Keep God as your paramount priority because nothing is impossible for him to handle.”
He also urged government to support work done by disabled people and build more training centres where people with disabilities can learn and acquire skills. fthamalwa@gmail.com