Arts’ ‘gentle giant’ departs

TRIBUTES are pouring in for one of the nation’s most prolific and talented actors and scriptwriters, David Ndjavera, who died early yesterday morning, days after the death of his wife, Helena Ndjavera.

Sandy Rudd remembers Ndjavera as a friend since 1998 and says his career as film and theatre actor was seamless.

She says Ndjavera was brilliant because he was a gifted actor.

“The more you give to the other actors, the more your performance will shine, as will the other actors you are working with. David did that in abundance, not only in his professional life, but in his personal life as well. He laughed loudly, readily, but he took his work seriously. David always engaged with you on such an interesting level. Never have I heard a bad word about him. He was a committed teacher, mentor and friend to all. Namibia is going to miss this giant of the industry,” Rudd says.

Ndjavera is hailed as a father of theatre by many young, upcoming artists, such as award-winning Adriano Visagie, who says Ndjavera stood by him when he took his baby steps as a young actor doing musicals and dance performances.

“You have taught me so many lessons and modelled my acting career. You have taught me you can come back from the toughest seasons we face and through it all remain humble. David Ndjavera, known to me as ‘Uncle David’, was a family friend, my director, mentor and theatre father. Uncle David directed my first one-hander production. We starred together in ‘Salute’, my debut film, and he has directed me in theatre and has played a pivotal role in my career,” Visagie says.

He says Ndjavera has always believed art should come from the heart.

“He was the funniest, kindest and most experienced actor we would ever have. He really played a huge role in the community. We did roadshows together, and obviously he was one of my mentors, definitely a big loss personally and for the industry,” he says.

Dantagos Jimmy-Melani, who produced the movie ‘Hairareb’ in which Ndjavera played a lead role, says he was a talented performer, teacher and mentor to the team.

“He shared his experience freely, particularly to the younger and more inexperienced members of the cast. His compelling performance as the lead character, Hairareb, garnered him the accolade of best male actor at the Namibian Theater and Film Awards in 2019, which was yet another testament to his decades-long contribution to the theatre and film industry. I held the utmost respect for him, and enjoyed working with him immensely. He will be greatly missed,” Jimmy-Melani says.

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