Mareka lands assistant director job at Namibian dance academy

Global Dance Supreme Namibia has appointed Namibian dancer, choreographer and musician Stanley Mareka as its new assistant director.

The academy announced that Mareka will play an important role in preparing Namibian dancers for the upcoming Global Dance Supreme Inter-Continental Dance and Battles championship finals, set for October in Cape Town, South Africa.

“We are thrilled to welcome him to our team,” says Global Dance Supreme Namibia director Leah Gaeses.

Gaeses says Mareka’s extensive experience in art, sport, and education makes him a dynamic leader with an aptitude for nurturing talent.

Mareka is the director of Equipped Performance Arts and Corporate Affairs Academy and has made a significant contribution to Namibia’s performing arts.

He lectured at the College of the Arts for three years, teaching students, as well as offering general tuition to children aged five to 12 years. He also lectured dance anatomy to first-year students.

“His interest in learning is even carried over to the Namibian Film School, where he was trained in acting and movement for camera,” says Gaeses.

Mareka holds an international diploma in performance arts from the Tanz Akademie Balance 1 in Berlin, Germany.

According to the academy, Mareka expands his reach within the dance community outside of the classroom as the creator and former president of the Dance Sport Federation of Namibia, a group recognised by both the Namibia Sports Commission and the Namibia National Olympic Committee.

In an interview with The Namibian, Mareka expresses gratitude for the appointment, stating that it is an honour to contribute to the development of dance in Namibia.

“This will enable me to provide more opportunities for Namibian dancers to achieve international recognition,” he states.

Mareka and Gaeses plan to cultivate opportunities for exposure, collaboration, and training by connecting Namibian dancers with international networks of dancers.

“We intend to emphasise skill-developing workshops, mentorship initiatives, and performance engagements to aid dancers in their professional development,” he says.

While recognising some of the hindrances local dancers encounter, such as a lack of resources and visibility, Mareka is convinced that Global Dance Supreme Namibia will assist in bridging the gap by providing training and exposure.

“Our message to young dancers is to stay focused, work hard, and take every moment of learning. To be able to represent Namibia on the world stage is possible with commitment, dedication and a good support system,” he adds.

Mareka’s artistic career began in 2005 when he founded the Equipped Dance Academy. His talent was appreciated across the world after winning season two of Channel O’s ‘Dance Africa’ in 2008. He refined his skills in Germany, where he learned various types of dance, like classical ballet and contemporary dance.

Mareka diversified his creative endeavours in 2019 by launching a music career as African Cobra, combining his dancing prowess with theatrical live performances.

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