Goethe Institute to premiere ‘Veraa’

The Goethe-Institut Namibia will showcase a documentary called ‘Veraa!’ in Windhoek next Tuesday.

The documentary by creative filmmaker and director Tutu Mungoba uncovers a Namibian street language (slang) called Veraa by examining the origins, evolution and cultural significance of various linguistic phenomena.

Mungoba says Veraa! is not only a documentary but also a research piece.

“We spoke to a lot of experts in the field, including linguists, sociologists, different doctors in the communicative space, as well as individuals who incorporate slang into their daily interactions. Even students regularly incorporate slang into their academic writing,” she says.

Mungoba, who had only one week to produce the movie, says they edited it for 20 hours straight to do the first cut.

“It is like a very upbeat, yet staccato music video. We utilised fast intercutting and incorporated social media excerpts into the film to make it fun and appealing,” she says, adding that people from different backgrounds will still understand each other when they speak ‘the slang’.

‘Veraa!’ is set to be screened at the Goethe-Institut Namibia as part of the film programme Cinemaverse.

Entrance to the screening is free, with complimentary popcorn.

At the screening, a poetry slam performance by Franklin Shitaleni, known as North Side Rabbi, will take place.

North Side Rabbi’s presentation promises to be a compelling fusion of local slang and an insightful exploration of its usage within the Namibian cultural landscape, with his linguistic nuances and profound thematic expression. – unWrap online