OLAF ARTISTS BIOS – 2025
(All photos by NUKA NUKA Social Media Agency)

NAJAH

NAJAH is a Namibian singer-songwriter, crafting music that heals, connects and celebrates community. For OLAF 2025, NaJah invites her audience on a participatory music journey rooted in ubuntu to cocreate sounds through rhythm, voice and breath.

 

TAPZ

Tapz is a Zimbabwean-born performing artist, songwriter, and activist. For OLAF 2025, he is joined by a band of Windhoek-based musicians for a performance of reflection, grief, and celebration of those who have passed.

 

MARIA ANITA

Maria Anita is an Afro-Fusion cancer from Windhoek. She uses dance to celebrate the collective power of her generation, trying to let her body express itself without hesitation. For her performances she takes the audience on a journey through amapiano mixed with afropop.

 

ELIZABETH MCLAREN

As part of her training in choreography, Elizabeth Mclaren is exploring ideas that can be expressed through movement. Together with award-winning dancer Seraya Mentor she will use the environment of Zoo park as stimulus for a dance and movement performance.

 

KULA RODRIGUES

Kula Rodrigues is a Namibian artists, who likes to use his multi-facetted approach to challenge his audience to redefining their definition of art. For OLAF 2025 he will showcase a character development, utilizing dance, rap, live paintings and drumming.

 

ZINGERWINGZ

Angelina Akawa (Zingerwingz) is performing a piece called “MBWITISM” at OLAF 2025. As part of her MobiArts tour it explores tensions of cultural identity. She combines acting, music and spoken word, inviting the audience to participate in a dialogue about cultural authenticity.

 

ORI

Orion “Ori” Tjiuru Kuajonganga is an emerging multi-talented Namibian artist. Rooted deep within a soulful african sound, Ori is mixing storytelling and music. For OLAF 2025 she will bring us her story of Toivo, delivering words of comfort and confrontation at the same time.

 

FROGMAN K

Siballi “Frogman K” Kgobtesi is a Namibian People’s poet, celebrating unity in diversity. Drawing inspiration from our daily lives, heritage and tradition, his work for olaf 2025 focuses on the first citizens of southern africa – the san – as well as donkeys.

 

LELA

O.U_SLOW

Formed in 2021 by frontman Charl Vries, O.u_SLOW have established themselves as an integral part of the Namibian music scene. With their first EP (released in 2025), the band has cemented their ability to provide original Namibian music, that stretches various genres.

 

BOTSELO

Botselo is an ensemble of well experienced musicians. The band is combining diverse cultural backgrounds, rhythms and flavours from different corners of Africa, Europe and Asia for an uplifting performance with a powerful life affirming message.

 

STEVEN AFRIKANER

Steven Afrikaner focuses on ethnomusicology and the preservation of ethnic heritages for the generations to come. For OLAF 2025 Steven will present The “Fruits of Folklore”, bridging traditional Khoekhoegowab storytelling with contemporary sonic landscapes.

 

One Blood

One Blood is an award-winning group made up of siblings Daphny Nguvitjita Kaune and Victor Ngatuvese Kaune. they represent a unique musical blend of Oviritje and Disco. Since their debut in 2008, One Blood has become an indispensable force in the Namibian music scene.

 

Soul Xpress

The ensemble “Soul Xpress” consists of Namibian artists Jazema Hangero, David Beukes, Ndjerera Maamberua and Kuzajatu X Maamberua. For OLAF 2025 they are exploring the tension between Ovaherero traditions and the realities of modern Namibian youth.

 

Mavetjiua Haimbodi

Mavetjiua Haimbodi is an arts researcher and dancer re-entering the performance space after a 10 year absence. Her piece for OLAF is a commentary on separation, upbringing, family, and where people find themselves in the world as a result of colonialism and capitalism.