Different people, same stage

Gymnasium Culture Festival celebrates young talent
Young performers from Windhoek and beyond gathered for a day of music, dance and drama at the Gymnasium Culture Festival.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 1 Week Ago

The Windhoek Gymnasium School Hall was filled with music, dance and drama on 19 September as young performers took to the stage for the Gymnasium Culture Festival.

Held under the theme “Different people, same stage”, the festival brought together learners from different schools and backgrounds, giving them an opportunity to express themselves through singing, dancing, acting and instrumental music.

The event opened with the national anthem, the African Union anthem and the Windhoek Gymnasium School anthem, followed by a prayer and Scripture reading by Suhani Kathuria and Keziah Abrahams. Gideon Grobler delivered the welcoming remarks before the performances began.


Setting the stage

The afternoon programme featured a variety of performances, starting with the Windhoek Gymnasium Junior Primary Choir and including piano and recorder solos, rhythmic dance, monologues, singing and drama.

Performers including Matthew Kruger, Minke Maritz, Marianne Stadler, Maria Sichone, Hannah van Tonder, Gabriella Ibwima and Pomwene Hamukuaja each brought their own style to the programme.

Group performances included the Walvis Bay Marimba Band, Windhoek Gymnasium Senior Primary Choir, Oshiwambo Traditional Dance Group and Senior Primary Revue Dance Group.

The afternoon ended with ROOTS Drama’s production of Die Wolf by Witputts.

After a short break, which included a line-mob dance, the evening session began at 18:00, with Abel Mukusuka, Jaden Gowases and Andre Hurter serving as presenters.

The evening programme continued with drama, dance, singing and instrumental performances. Among the highlights were the Windhoek Gymnasium Senior Primary Drama Group’s Die avonture van Emilia, as well as performances by SERAVYN, Dancing Queen and Tequa Techos.

Learners also performed piano, guitar, cello and violin solos.

The festival brought together performers from beyond Windhoek, including the Oshana Secondary School Choir and Walvis Bay Secondary School Choir.


Encore!

The festival ended with the mass choir, bringing together many of the performers who had appeared throughout the day.

After a programme of individual and group performances, the combined voices provided a fitting conclusion to an event built around bringing young people together.

The mass choir reflected the festival’s central message: that people from different backgrounds can share the same stage while celebrating their individual talents and a common love of performance.

For the learners who took part, the festival was not only an opportunity to perform but also a chance to experience the work, creativity and confidence that go into sharing a stage with others.