Family, friends and fans turned up in large numbers Sunday in Krönlein to welcome home their hero, 20-year-old Rodward Stephanus, aka Roda, who became the first winner of the ‘The Search Namibia’ on 27 April 2021.

The TV reality show was produced by ‘The Search Namibia’ in collaboration with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, searching for Namibia’s next singing sensation. Before entertaining the crowd to a performance, Roda said, as the first proud winner of the contest, he wishes to share the knowledge and experience gained through his journey with future musicians.

“It is my dream to establish a music studio at my hometown (Keetmanshoop) with part of my winning prize money of N$100 0000 and do other fundraising initiatives,” he said. 

Roda said he learned that in as much as competition is tough with plenty of talent out there, success does not come easy. He plans to use his achievement as a stepping stone to build his music career to greater heights and perform internationally.   

“It is my conviction that the road lying ahead will be challenging, but with vigour, seriousness, hard work, dedication, commitment and your unwavering support, we can overcome these obstacles together as a team,” he said. Roda added that he is now a better artist, compared to when he entered the competition.

He expressed profound gratitude towards the entire //Kharas region and Namibia at large for believing in and voting for him during the knockout stages of the reality show. Roda also thanked the organisers and sponsors of ‘The Search Namibia’.

His mother, Mantie Stephanus, could not hide her joy and pride when probed by VIBEZ! on her son’s achievement. 

She expressed hope that Roda will be an example for the youth in //Kharas with his God-given talent, and assured him that his family will support his dream of establishing a music recording studio
for the less fortunate artists in the south.

“I trust that my son will make a success of his future music career, stay humble as we raised him, and not let this new fame go to his head,” said Stephanus.

Roda has thus far released a single, called ‘Flow with it’. On his part, Easter Isaak, Keetmanshoop municipality’s management council chairperson, said Roda made them proud and placed Keetmanshoop and the //Kharas region on the map as a force to be reckoned with. 

He expressed hope that the youth in the south will emulate the discipline, dedication and commitment clearly demonstrated by Roda during his journey to become top.

– sklukowski@nepc.com.na