‘Veraa!’ explores influence of slang in contemporary Namibia
Defining street lingo
The documentary chronicles local street culture and behavioural patterns.
Film-maker, content strategist and creative director Othilia 'Tutu' Mungoba on Friday, 30 June, hosted a captivating screening of her latest documentary ‘Veraa!’ in Windhoek.
Speaking to tjil, Mungoba shared that the title refers to the Afrikaans colloquial or slang greeting many Namibians are familiar with. She added that 'Veraa!' delves into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Namibian slang, exploring how language choices reflect societal change, cultural influences and the dynamics of various social groups.
With a keen eye for detail, Mungoba masterfully weaves together interviews, personal anecdotes and observational footage to showcase the richness and complexity of Namibia's linguistic landscape.
Collaborating with local creative Jesaya Abraham as the cinematographer and co-editor on the project, ‘Veraa!’ was the result of a submission to a creative call by Fabrica Make-A-Thon.
The brainchild of Elzane Ludeke and Tanya Stroh, the initiative was hosted under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Namibia accelerator lab, with coordination by Impact Tank Namibia, which also served as the screening venue.
'Veraa!’ was one of five winners of the 2023 edition, which earned Mungoba N$20 000 in seed investment and the screening of the documentary in four international arenas in coming months, she shared.
Thought-provoking discussions
At the 'Veraa!' premiere, Mungoba also screened her debut documentary, ‘The Weight of Tomorrow’, which depicts the lives of Namibian scrap collectors.
According to her, this added a compelling layer to the event.
“My double-feature presentation left the audience in awe and sparked thought-provoking discussions on the power of language and its role in shaping culture and identity,” she said proudly.
Through her thought-provoking documentaries, Mungoba continues to make significant contributions to the world of film-making, shedding light on Namibia's dynamic and diverse cultural tapestry while inspiring viewers to reflect on their own heritage and the power of language to shape the world around them.
She noted that the screening of ‘Veraa!’ marks a pivotal moment in her career as a female creative and acts as a launchpad for her promising future.
Her ability to connect with audiences through compelling storytelling has solidified her position as a leading voice in Namibia's creative industry, and she is set to make a lasting impact - both locally and internationally.
Speaking to tjil, Mungoba shared that the title refers to the Afrikaans colloquial or slang greeting many Namibians are familiar with. She added that 'Veraa!' delves into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Namibian slang, exploring how language choices reflect societal change, cultural influences and the dynamics of various social groups.
With a keen eye for detail, Mungoba masterfully weaves together interviews, personal anecdotes and observational footage to showcase the richness and complexity of Namibia's linguistic landscape.
Collaborating with local creative Jesaya Abraham as the cinematographer and co-editor on the project, ‘Veraa!’ was the result of a submission to a creative call by Fabrica Make-A-Thon.
The brainchild of Elzane Ludeke and Tanya Stroh, the initiative was hosted under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Namibia accelerator lab, with coordination by Impact Tank Namibia, which also served as the screening venue.
'Veraa!’ was one of five winners of the 2023 edition, which earned Mungoba N$20 000 in seed investment and the screening of the documentary in four international arenas in coming months, she shared.
Thought-provoking discussions
At the 'Veraa!' premiere, Mungoba also screened her debut documentary, ‘The Weight of Tomorrow’, which depicts the lives of Namibian scrap collectors.
According to her, this added a compelling layer to the event.
“My double-feature presentation left the audience in awe and sparked thought-provoking discussions on the power of language and its role in shaping culture and identity,” she said proudly.
Through her thought-provoking documentaries, Mungoba continues to make significant contributions to the world of film-making, shedding light on Namibia's dynamic and diverse cultural tapestry while inspiring viewers to reflect on their own heritage and the power of language to shape the world around them.
She noted that the screening of ‘Veraa!’ marks a pivotal moment in her career as a female creative and acts as a launchpad for her promising future.
Her ability to connect with audiences through compelling storytelling has solidified her position as a leading voice in Namibia's creative industry, and she is set to make a lasting impact - both locally and internationally.
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