Otjiwarongo hosts 23rd Meat & Beer Festival in May

The Namibia Meat & Beer Festival Volume 23 is set to take place Otjiwarongo at the Mokati Stadium on 2 May.

Charles-Venee Mieze, founder of the Meat & Beer Festival, told tjil this week the event was first conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the entertainment sector was on the brink of collapse, to help "revamp" the sector.

First launched on 9 April 2022, the festival helped to restore both income and hope.

“The event helped artists financially; this restored their lives,” Mieze said.

What began with a modest crowd of around 700 has evolved into a nationwide attraction, drawing between 1 500 and 2 000 attendees per edition.

“I’m excited that something that started as a small idea has now grown to something that promotes artists and creates business platforms for Namibians,” Mieze said.

100% Namibian

With line-ups featuring some of the country’s top-performing artists, the event blends entertainment with a sense of community.

“It brings together people from diverse backgrounds and cultures," Mieze said.

The Otjiwarongo edition aims to give a platform to emerging artists.

Supporting local talent remains central to the festival’s mission. Each edition features a balanced mix of 50% emerging artists and 50% established performers, with a strong emphasis on proudly Namibian talent.

"Our line-up consists of 100% Namibian artists,” Mieze emphasised.

Despite its success, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been funding.

“This kind of event is costly. Without corporate sponsorship, it’s a great challenge,” Mieze said.

The bulk of the financial support comes from stall registrations and individual sponsors.

While big partnerships have been limited, several brands have stepped in over the years, including Namibia Breweries, Real Good Chicken, Coca-Cola and SMC Brands.

“These contributions made a significant difference,” he acknowledged.

Enjoy the vibes

Beyond the music, the festival offers a full lifestyle experience. Attendees can enjoy a wide variety of food from modern dishes to traditional food with a relaxed social atmosphere.

For people attending the festival for the first time, Mieze recommends soaking in the entire experience from the daytime “chilling session” to the performances later in the evening.

Looking ahead, Mieze’s vision is focused on growth and opportunity. “I want to continue discovering raw talent and polishing it by providing a platform,” he said. He also hopes to build partnerships that will financially sustain the event and create more business opportunities.