Omulavalava turns pain into purpose on new EP
Rooted in honesty
Gustavo Omulavalava (Shiimi Gustafa), also known as Omandjolo, has returned with a deeply personal three-track EP titled oMBILI MEME, oMBILI KUKU and oMBILI TATE.
The project marks one of his most honest bodies of work to date, offering listeners a raw reflection of his life experiences, choices and emotions he admits he carried for years without properly expressing.
The EP is structured as a single emotional journey, with each song addressing a significant parental figure in his life.
Rather than chasing commercial appeal, Omulavalava chose vulnerability, accountability and storytelling rooted in real-life experiences many Namibian youths can relate to.
When asked what inspired the project, the artist said the EP was born from unresolved emotions and difficult truths he had avoided for years.
“The EP was inspired by my own life experiences and the emotions I carried for a long time but never expressed properly. Growing up, I made choices that affected my education and disappointed my parents, especially my mother, grandmother, and father. Instead of running away from that reality, I decided to face it through music,” Omulavalava said.
He further explained that the three-track EP was created as a single journey, a way of reflecting on his past, while taking responsibility, and expressing emotions he struggled to say out loud.
“This EP is rooted in honesty, regret, love, and growth,” he added.
Turning such deeply personal struggles into music was not an easy process, Omulavalava said, while admitting the writing process forced him to confront wounds he had long buried.
“It was not easy at all. Writing these songs meant reopening wounds and admitting my mistakes publicly. There were moments where I questioned whether I should share such personal struggles, especially issues around education and family expectations,” he noted.
Failure not the end
He also mentioned that he realized many young people are silently carrying the same pain, saying that he turned his pain into a form of music because it releases the pain from him.
“It was difficult, but also healing, because I wasn’t pretending to be perfect — I was being real,” he said.
When asked what message he hopes listeners, especially those facing similar struggles, take away from this EP, Omulavalava said that the message is simple: failure is not the end, but ignoring responsibility is dangerous.
“I want young people to understand that mistakes don’t define their future but how they respond to them does,” he explained.
Omulavalava emphasized that education is important, listening to parents is important, and communication is powerful.
“If you’ve failed, don’t hide. Learn, grow, and try again. This EP is meant to encourage honesty, effort, and self-belief,” he added.
Omulavalava told Namibian Sun that he received a humbling response from listeners.
"Hearing from people who relate to the story, including parents and students, has shown him that the message matters more than popularity," he said.
He said that his family's positive reaction and understanding gave him peace.
Omulavalava further added that “this EP has shaped me into a more responsible and intentional artist.
"I now focus more on storytelling, purpose, and impact rather than just making music. It has strengthened my confidence to create art that reflects real life.”
The project marks one of his most honest bodies of work to date, offering listeners a raw reflection of his life experiences, choices and emotions he admits he carried for years without properly expressing.
The EP is structured as a single emotional journey, with each song addressing a significant parental figure in his life.
Rather than chasing commercial appeal, Omulavalava chose vulnerability, accountability and storytelling rooted in real-life experiences many Namibian youths can relate to.
When asked what inspired the project, the artist said the EP was born from unresolved emotions and difficult truths he had avoided for years.
“The EP was inspired by my own life experiences and the emotions I carried for a long time but never expressed properly. Growing up, I made choices that affected my education and disappointed my parents, especially my mother, grandmother, and father. Instead of running away from that reality, I decided to face it through music,” Omulavalava said.
He further explained that the three-track EP was created as a single journey, a way of reflecting on his past, while taking responsibility, and expressing emotions he struggled to say out loud.
“This EP is rooted in honesty, regret, love, and growth,” he added.
Turning such deeply personal struggles into music was not an easy process, Omulavalava said, while admitting the writing process forced him to confront wounds he had long buried.
“It was not easy at all. Writing these songs meant reopening wounds and admitting my mistakes publicly. There were moments where I questioned whether I should share such personal struggles, especially issues around education and family expectations,” he noted.
Failure not the end
He also mentioned that he realized many young people are silently carrying the same pain, saying that he turned his pain into a form of music because it releases the pain from him.
“It was difficult, but also healing, because I wasn’t pretending to be perfect — I was being real,” he said.
When asked what message he hopes listeners, especially those facing similar struggles, take away from this EP, Omulavalava said that the message is simple: failure is not the end, but ignoring responsibility is dangerous.
“I want young people to understand that mistakes don’t define their future but how they respond to them does,” he explained.
Omulavalava emphasized that education is important, listening to parents is important, and communication is powerful.
“If you’ve failed, don’t hide. Learn, grow, and try again. This EP is meant to encourage honesty, effort, and self-belief,” he added.
Omulavalava told Namibian Sun that he received a humbling response from listeners.
"Hearing from people who relate to the story, including parents and students, has shown him that the message matters more than popularity," he said.
He said that his family's positive reaction and understanding gave him peace.
Omulavalava further added that “this EP has shaped me into a more responsible and intentional artist.
"I now focus more on storytelling, purpose, and impact rather than just making music. It has strengthened my confidence to create art that reflects real life.”
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