A ‘Joyous’ weekend

Thousands of Namibians gathered at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek to attend the first ever ‘Restoration Concert’ in the country over the weekend.

The concert was an initiative of Project Never Walk Alone.

The event featured more than 20 Namibian gospel artists, including choirs, with the renowned South African gospel choir, Joyous Celebration, as the headline act.

Never Walk Alone events and logistics manager Beverley Naris recently released a statement expressing her gratitude to the sponsors who helped make the event a success.

“We would like to thank every stakeholder that made a contribution,” Naris said.

“We intend to make this either an annual or bi-annual event, to do our part in lifting our nation’s spirits and giving all of us renewed hope, just like our slogan entails,” she said.

“What we have done over the weekend was plant a seed and we will now water that seed. We are asking every Namibian to join forces so that we become the great nation that God intends for us to be,” she said.

Speaking to The Namibian shortly before the show, Joyous Celebration choir director Lindelani Mkhize said the choir had been eagerly anticipating their first performance in Namibia.

“The team is powered up and excited, we are all looking forward to a great time of impartation,” Mkhi­ze said.

Some of the featured gospel artists included Dee’A, D-Naff, Soli Deo Gloria Choir, Clive and the Now Generation, Adora Kisting and Adoration HC, among others.

The event was sponsored by Yango, NamWater, The Namibian, New Era, Namdia Foundation, Soulstice Day Spa, Namib Mills, South African Airways and Windhoek Observer.

Standard Bank pledged N$250 000 to Project Never Walk Alone, which will be used to purchase 1 000 pairs of shoes for children in various regions.

Erongo Marine Enterprises also joined the cause, pledging N$650 000 to purchase 2 000 pairs of shoes specifically for the Zambezi region.

Joyous Celebration brought the night to a close with a fascinating performance that lasted over two hours as the crowd cheered, sang and danced along from beginning to end.

The choir performed a variety of songs from all the 27 albums they have released since 1994.

Leapold Vatilifa, popularly known as Dee’A, also got the crowd chanting as he took to the stage with a vibrant and energising performance, featuring his well known song, ‘Omalaka’.