For the past six years, the Collective Singers gospel choir has been harnessing their voices and song-writing skills to produce sweet and memorable gospel music.
The 38-member choir is diverse and consists of people from different walks of life and churches, and includes various professionals working as doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants and journalists, amongst others.
The spokesperson of the group, George Nashawn Marenga, told VIBEZ! that they all have a passion for singing and spreading the gospel, and aim to keep on doing so for a very long time.
The choir was formed in November 2015 by Ponti Dikuua, who is also the musical director. He roped in friends to back him up when he performed at the Hallelujah Gospel Music Concert that year.
“The members decided to stay together as a group and not part ways. It was a group of around 10 people then,” said Marenga.
“We have a percussionist who is based in Europe; another member based at the coast, who comes over some times; and a third one who is an honorary member.”
Apart from gospel, they also do contemporary, classical and Namibian traditional music, focusing on locally-composed songs in English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, Otjiherero and Khoe-Khoegowab to promote local music.
They have performed on many stages thus far, including shows in Walvis Bay, Rehoboth, Mariental, Maltahöhe and Keetmanshoop, as well as the Standard Bank Acapella Festival, performing at the same event with the Soweto Gospel Choir. They have also had a tour to Germany.
“As creatives, we live off audiences. The year 2020 was the worst as the group could not host shows, but performed at small gatherings like funerals, and with the [Covid-19] restrictions, not all members could perform,” explained Marenga.
He said they are excited for the upcoming MTC 081Every1 Hope Concert in July.
“We are looking forward to that, but only 10 or 11 of us are going to perform. And because not all of us can take part, some members have dedicated their time to write songs and shoot music videos, which include our latest release titled ‘Hy Leef’”, Marenga added.
The choir can be booked for events.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na