Hilma Nalupe

For Galilei Uajenenisa Njembo, music has always been more than just a passion. 

It has been his way of life since childhood. 

What started as a natural love for singing at age four gradually blossomed into a career that now makes him one of Namibia’s most exciting operatic voices.

His journey has been one of steady discoveries and growth. 

From joining the College of the Arts Youth Choir Namibia as a teenager to studying under Hermien Coetzee, Njembo immersed himself in genres as diverse as classical, renaissance, African folksong and contemporary choral music.

This foundation led him to McGill University in Montreal, where he graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Composition. 

Along the way, he has performed on international stages, including the 2023 European premiere of Namibia’s first opera.

But for Njembo, opera is not meant to sit on distant pedestals. 

“Opera is undergoing massive rebranding. It is musical theatre, packaged in a way that requires no artificial amplification. It is a theatre showcasing the raw power of the human voice while telling meaningful and relatable stories,” he said.

His mission is to make this art form accessible and engaging for Namibian audiences through diverse concert programmes and productions.

Now in Namibia, Njembo is shifting his focus toward teaching. 

Through one-on-one lessons and occasional workshops, he is pioneering a new approach to vocal training in the country. 

His methods draw on classical techniques, but he applies them across all genres – from contemporary music to theater and public speaking.

Njembo said “no one else is doing this in Namibia. It is about time we pioneered this pedagogical approach to singing”.

His teaching is already inspiring students who discover not only greater vocal power but also new confidence and skills that can be applied on stage, classrooms or professional careers beyond music.

For Njembo, this is just the beginning. 

“The long-term vision is to help establish professional, internationally accredited arts institutions in Namibia, where performance artists are recognised as vital contributors to the country’s cultural and creative economy,” he noted.

In the meantime, he offers trial lessons at the Holy Cross Convent in Windhoek, with sessions available throughout the week.

-hilmanalupe@gmail.com