SADC stars shine bright at CST

Windhoek was transformed into a Southern African entertainment hotspot last week as the inaugural Creative.Sport.Tourism (CST) Expo brought together some of the region’s biggest stars for three days of music, culture, business and entertainment.

Held at the Hage Geingob Stadium from 2 to 4 September, the expo delivered a star-studded musical programme, with artists from Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola taking over the stage.

One of the early highlights was Zambian star Mampi, who had the crowd singing and dancing to her nostalgic hits, including Why. The singer, who has visited Namibia three times, was so impressed by the reception that she joked about relocating to the country. “Namibia is beautiful. I want to relocate to Namibia,” Mampi said, promising to return.

Namibian music veteran Big Ben also praised the expo for bringing different sectors together, saying the event demonstrated how arts, culture, sports, tourism and education could work together. For him, the music was only one part of a much bigger picture.

Thursday night belonged to Zimbabwean powerhouse Tamy Moyo, who delivered a high-energy performance packed with powerful vocals and impressive dance moves. The crowd received an extra treat when Tamy invited Namibian rapper Lioness onto the stage for their collaboration Bring Them Ova. The performance created one of the evening’s biggest moments and added to an all-women showcase that also featured Ma//Gaia star Jaliza. Tamy described the expo as “beyond epic”, calling it a brilliant moment of cultural exchange.

Friday night raised the bar even higher, with South African amapiano and three-step sensation Oscar Mbo being among the most anticipated performers, bringing his signature sound to a packed crowd.

Reflecting on the experience, Mbo said performing at an expo was different from his usual club, festival and outdoor shows, but praised the concept for bringing people from different sectors together. He also highlighted the importance of platforms like CST Expo for creatives, particularly in a region where artists continue to face challenges around funding, travel and visas. Mbo encouraged fellow artists to attend future editions and use such platforms to learn, diversify and explore new opportunities.

Angola’s Cleyton M brought the house down, with vibrant energy and amazing dance moves, performing his biggest tracks, including the hit song Money, which got everyone dancing along to the choreography. He also invited fans to share the stage with him, as he made history as one of the most anticipated performers at this year’s CST Expo.

Closing the three-day spectacle was Namibian heavyweight Gazza, who had the crowd on its feet with fan favourites such as Kick It and Shukusha, alongside his latest release Dotcha Man. Gazza said he felt honoured to close the inaugural expo, but stressed that the creative industry needs more than applause. According to the Kwaito star, creatives contribute directly and indirectly to the economy through jobs and business opportunities, but much of that contribution remains unaccounted for.

“Passion doesn't pay the bills,” Gazza said, arguing for stronger legislation and systems that allow creatives to monetise their work and benefit more from the industry they help build. He also teased fans with news of an upcoming album and a major deal that he says could open doors for Namibian music on the global market.

Gazza said he refused to pursue an international opportunity solely for himself, insisting that any deal should create a gateway for other Namibian creatives. With music, business, sport, tourism and creativity sharing one platform, the inaugural CST Expo proved that Namibia has the potential to position itself as a meeting point for Southern Africa’s creative economy.

And if the performances were anything to go by, CST Expo, set to become an annual event, has only just begun and promises to be bigger and better, while shining the spotlight on the creative and sport industries and how they enable the tourism industry to thrive.