By: Rochelle Cornelius
Not many can take dance as a career, worse still traditional dance which is shunned by many for poor financial rewards but Jessica April, one of the dancers of popular Namastap traditional group Mukorob has other ideas.
She said for her traditional dance has given her the happiness and allowed her to travel the length and breadth of Namibia a meeting new people and being able to make a living from it.
Having joined the cultural group at a tender age in 1999 for the love of her culture and support for popularising it to many April is not about to throw it all away, not anytime soon anyway.
“I am a proud Nama woman and being part of this Nama group is a big pleasure. I love my group because it is a true representative of the Nama tribe and its people,” she said.
Their cultural dance is performed by women wearing multi-coloured dresses, matched with the now very much trending “veldskoene” and a suitor around the women’s arm.
“Our dresses are tailored by Nama aunties that live here in Keetmanshoop and with each performance comes to a different colour, dress and excitement,” a joyous Jessica exclaimed.
According to April, their influence continues to grow countrywide and she has also enjoyed the privilege of touring Nigeria for a performance.
The group has also won two competitions before.
“I am very proud of my culture and my dance group because it upholds and expresses the Nama cultural values,” April said.
