Buskers want to save Nama music

RONALD Dirkse and Gustav Plaatjies, who call themselves the Street Survivors, are buskers in Windhoek’s Independence Avenue.

Armed with a guitar, a home-made drum and twigs as drumsticks, they play traditional Nama music alternated by English and Afrikaans songs to the delight of many passers-by. ‘There are not a lot of street musicians in Windhoek and this is a nice change,’ said a passer-by. Dirkse has been making music since the age of 14 and he has already released two CDs. He writes all his own music and plays all the instruments on his releases himself. He also teaches music to pre-primary school children at a school in Keetmanshoop. ‘We both come from the South,’ he said. They came to Windhoek to earn some money as street musicians to pay for the release of his third CD. ‘We are both unemployed and music is our life so we decided to come to Windhoek to make music. We are sleeping under a bridge as we don’t have accommodation here but that is okay as long as we get to make music,’ said Dirkse. ‘The Nama traditional music is dying and I want to revive it and also remind the youth about their tradition and music. The Namastap must not be forgotten,’ he said.Although the two are glad to earn coins from those who appreciate their music in the street, the satisfaction they get from people sitting down and listening to their music is priceless.