Choir from Opuwo shines at international competition
The Opuwo Youth Choir, under the leadership of founder and senior music director Mbaseua Tjongarero, has won gold in the Open Competition and silver in the Grand Prix of Nations at the African Asia Pacific Choir Games in Mauritius.
The competition, organised by Interkultur, brought together 53 choirs from 14 countries.
“Standing on stage in Mauritius, competing against 53 choirs from 14 countries, was an exhilarating experience. The energy was electric, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation,” Tjongarero said.
The choir’s first performance proved decisive.
“Our very first performance in the African Asia Pacific Choir Games... as they say, first cut is the deepest,” he said.
Audience members were visibly moved.
“One old German lady came to us crying saying that she loved the tone we were producing and everything about us,” he recalled.
Admiration from judges
Performing in traditional Otjihimba attire, the choir drew admiration from judges and fellow participants alike.
“No one discriminated us. We were welcomed highly, and people couldn’t stop taking pictures of us after our performance,” Tjongarero said.
Despite strong competition, the group did not expect to win.
“We never expected to win anything since we competed against big countries with good choirs and conductors, but a little lion from Namibia, from a small town Opuwo, scooped the prize,” he said.
For Tjongarero, the achievement carries national significance.
“This is huge. This is world choir games. All Namibians should be behind us... This really has put Namibia at another level. People are asking us so much about our country since winning this trophy,” he said.
The choir will still compete in the Youth 02 category before the competition concludes on 5 October.
Founded in 2015, the Opuwo Youth Choir has previously won local competitions such as the HINM competition in Ongwediva in 2019 and has taken part in exchange programmes in Botswana and Zambia.
“Our focus isn’t really on competition but empowering the youth, especially those from remote areas,” Tjongarero said.
This tour was made possible by the support of sponsors, including the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, Opuwo Town Council, Friends from Germany, Lindholm of Africa, Members of Parliament, College of the Arts, National Arts Council of Namibia, Opuwo Youth Choir Supporters, amongst others.
The competition, organised by Interkultur, brought together 53 choirs from 14 countries.
“Standing on stage in Mauritius, competing against 53 choirs from 14 countries, was an exhilarating experience. The energy was electric, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation,” Tjongarero said.
The choir’s first performance proved decisive.
“Our very first performance in the African Asia Pacific Choir Games... as they say, first cut is the deepest,” he said.
Audience members were visibly moved.
“One old German lady came to us crying saying that she loved the tone we were producing and everything about us,” he recalled.
Admiration from judges
Performing in traditional Otjihimba attire, the choir drew admiration from judges and fellow participants alike.
“No one discriminated us. We were welcomed highly, and people couldn’t stop taking pictures of us after our performance,” Tjongarero said.
Despite strong competition, the group did not expect to win.
“We never expected to win anything since we competed against big countries with good choirs and conductors, but a little lion from Namibia, from a small town Opuwo, scooped the prize,” he said.
For Tjongarero, the achievement carries national significance.
“This is huge. This is world choir games. All Namibians should be behind us... This really has put Namibia at another level. People are asking us so much about our country since winning this trophy,” he said.
The choir will still compete in the Youth 02 category before the competition concludes on 5 October.
Founded in 2015, the Opuwo Youth Choir has previously won local competitions such as the HINM competition in Ongwediva in 2019 and has taken part in exchange programmes in Botswana and Zambia.
“Our focus isn’t really on competition but empowering the youth, especially those from remote areas,” Tjongarero said.
This tour was made possible by the support of sponsors, including the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, Opuwo Town Council, Friends from Germany, Lindholm of Africa, Members of Parliament, College of the Arts, National Arts Council of Namibia, Opuwo Youth Choir Supporters, amongst others.
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