Rose-Mary Haufiku
The Uptown PopUp crew will host their next event from 6 to 8 May 2022 at Garden Inn Windhoek for the first time. The decision to host the event in the capital was made in response to the increased interest in the event across Namibia. It aims to celebrate youth culture by providing a forum for showing the richness and diversity of young people, as well as self-development and peer learning.
“The event also looks to serve as a symbol of hope during these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic by providing the youth with a platform to showcase their skills, be entrepreneurs, and create an income,” co-founder Eliander Johannes told VIBEZ! The initiative was brought up by a group of young people from Outapi in the Omusati region, namely Regina Kapuka, Eliander Johannes, Jeannette Nauta and David Nauta.
Johannes said they felt the need to create an event that was all about the youth, for the youth, and by the youth. They met in May 2021 to discuss how they would bring their idea to life and started working on it, leading up to the first event in December 2021, which drew a large crowd from all over the north. The crew had so far managed to host two volume one events in Outapi at Mwaa’s Pension Hotel.
Last year, the event ran under the theme ‘Empowering the Youth Through Entrepreneurship and Creative Activities: A Symbol of Hope Amidst Covid-19.” This year’s event will have a Caribbean party theme. What they want to do is bring the Uptown event to those who weren’t able to attend the two volume one events in Outapi.
“We have an exciting line-up of performers, some of whom are emerging talents. This includes international hitmakers of the ‘It Ain’t Me’ remix DJ Abux and Soulking, featuring Innocent Boetie; Slime, Kledo Blaq, Eddy More, Bankie Gorilla, DJ Fast Fingers and many more sensational acts,” he enthused. This year, they strive for an improved event to surprise the audience. The Uptown PopUp gang would like to thank their sponsors (The Garden Inn and the Hustle fit clothing), friends, family and the youth for their unending support.
“We do plan to have more events after this one across the country and work with more young people, various brands and sponsors to make this initiative one that would leave prints. #outapitotheworld,” said Johannes.
There are limited early bird tickets going for N$30, general tickets for N$40 and VIP tickets for N$5 000. Entrance at the gate is N$ 60. Tickets can be purchased from The Garden Inn 13 in Windhoek West, or by contacting the numbers on the posters. More information can be found on our Instagram page @the_uptown_popup.
- rosemaryhaufiku5@gmail.com