Berrylicious Celebrates First Year, Introduces New Menu

Meet Rejoice Seitsang, commonly known as ‘Mitch’, from Gobabis – a youthful and vibrant spoken word poet and stage performer.

She sees herself as a “speaker of life and hope,” as well as a motivational speaker who believes that “you are what you say, accept, and speak of yourself”.

“I appreciate stage and performances and have long found it intriguing and inspiring and regard it as a place where lives are transformed, stories are told and performances are made,” says Rejoice, adding that despite her introversion, the stage has given her much-needed confidence and she has won numerous writing and speaking competitions.

Rejoice, who is poised to release her first spoken world poetry album this week, spoke with The Weekender about her poetry career and how she became an aspiring spoken word poet vying for international recognition.

Rejoice hails from Metsweding, Epukiro, in the Gobabis district and is also a professional and registered nurse, as well as a published writer, speaker, and performing artist.

“As a child, I’ve always had the dream and passion to help and care for as many people as possible, and I am grateful that I am somehow doing so in my nursing career and as an artist,” she says.

According to her, her artistic career has come a long way since performing for people, both local and foreign, which has always been a part of her culture at Epukiro.

“I’ve spoken and performed at numerous events, including graduations, colleges, schools, funerals, anniversaries, and in front of prominent figures.” She has also recently played at the Windhoek Country Club, the Safari Hotel and a few church anniversaries.

During her university years, Rejoice wrote and published an article titled ‘Don’t Lie’ in The Namibian and competed in other literary competitions.

She broke through to the world arena after sharing some of her works with award-winning and established writers such as Kabelo Kgatea Duncan and Bosilong Molebatsi, two of South Africa’s great writers who she says were moved and inspired by her work.

“I am currently the only young Namibian member of the National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA), and the Pene Botshelo Foundation, co-founded by Dr Lebogang Molebatsi Bosilong.”

In recent years, Rejoice has collaborated on the production of some poems with video and music producer Boli Mootseng.

“I continued to work with Duncan and Molebatsi, and with their help, I hope to make my debut in the South African poetry scene.”

After reaching out to Keamogetsi Joseph Molapong, a renowned figure in Namibian poetry, several of her poems were included in his anthology ‘Naming the Tomb’.

Rejoice is preparing to release her spoken word poet album ‘You Can’.

She describes the album as “just a word of encouragement”, telling listeners that “you can heal, you can achieve your dreams and goals, you can help protect the kids, you can stop raping, and you can embrace yourself as you are”.

She also says that the record will feature a two-CD set, with a bonus CD titled ‘You Are the Rapist’.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.