They call New York, the ‘city of bright lights’ or the city where all your dreams come true. Although 21-year-old Undjee Zaire was born there, he feels that he has found his place in Namibia, Land of the Brave.
He may be young, but Undjee has already graduated in Architecture at the Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria campus in Washington DC, played on trial for the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, involved himself in the creative world of music video editing through his company Reggie Film Crew and later expanded into fashion with his exclusive label RFC already making waves in and around Windhoek.
Not many can say that they have achieved so much at an age when most students fresh out of school are attempting to start a lifelong career and hoping to flourish. Not for Undjee, who seems to have found a balance between his career of architecture, as well as his passion for editing and designing.
The spoke to the young architect to discover how it all began…
“Although I was born in America, I regard my nationality as Namibian,” Undjee said. He has played various sports from a young age, but soccer specifically caught his eye. Before one of the best experiences of his life occurred, he attended Delta Secondary School in 2009 where he later became a member of the Learner’s Representative Council (LRC).
“There’s a funny story about how that happened. I won people over with nine words. Since it was around the time when President Barack Obama was running his presidential campaign and the song ‘Roger That’ by Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Tyga was released, I remember I said: ‘Yes, I can. ‘Cause I am the man. Now roger that.’ The crowd went wild and yeah, that’s how I became an LRC.”
His journey in school was cut short, when he was scouted by the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in England in 2014 to attend trials. Football fans would know that Tottenham has a reputation for currently being sixth in the English Premier League. The experience, however, wasn’t all moonshine and roses for Undjee. Being on trial meant proving himself and testing his limits with some serious training on a regular basis against fellow rivals who were just as passionate about joining the team. “I was disappointed when I eventually didn’t make it, so I haven’t really played soccer since then, but I’m still proud of that though.”
Undjee says designing has always been a thing for him. Experimenting with ideas he had, especially on computer, bred the idea of starting a music video company known as Reggie Film Company, with Reggie, being his nickname.
“RFC actually began with an embarrassing video I made with my brother called ‘Namibian Hijackers’. It’s so ridiculous, you’ll waste your time watching it,” Undjee joked. He explains his fascination with editing moving pictures, in contrast to stills or photography which he prefers to leave to the professionals.
“After I discovered the world of making videos, I haven’t looked back since.”
One of his many music videos, ‘Jazz and Jealousy’ by KP Illest featuring En-Khae and Monique English was nominated at the Namibia Annual Music Videos (NAMAs) earlier this year for its high quality visuals and quirky office set-up.
Funnily enough, RFC was not supposed to be a clothing line. “Whenever we were filming, we would usually put on t-shirts so that people could see who was a part of the film crew. One day, someone asked for a shirt with the t-shirt design and eventually, it became a fashion label.” With hundreds of sales under his belt due to high demands of the brand, Undjee has branched into the fashion world of hoodies as well as t-shirts catering for both men and women.
The clothing brand was awarded in the Runner Up category for the best textile company at the Made In Namibia Expo last year, and Reggie shows pride in his 100% Namibian clothing brand. Currently, vest hoodies are sold for N$250, sweaters go for N$280 and hoodies cost N$300. Each clothing type comes in its own size, so petite people will also have a chance to rock their RFC gear, especially with winter almost upon us.
The photographer responsible for his incredible shots is Martin Amushendje, who works with Undjee when he is in Namibia. The marketing manager for the brand is CJ Dumeni, who is currently studying marketing in South Africa as well.
Undjee studied architectural technology in Washington DC. When asked if being an architect has always been his passion, Undjee said that it is something quite close to his talent. “Having a thing for computers and editing made it easier to study architecture. I am passionate about bringing my designs to life. It’s quite a fun job, being an architect.”
Undjee has already scored a job at Howard and Chamberlain, working on loads of major projects said to impact Namibia positively. “I love working there. Everyday there is always something new to learn or something new to do.”
• He loves listening to slow jams and R B.
• When his friend Nikanor Hoveka (KP Illest to the fans) first got his studio, they made a song called ‘Hey, Baby Girl’.
• He has competed in the Streethouse Design-A-Tee Competition.
• He confesses that Mathematics is not really his strong point. “I’m just an organiser who’s bad at math.”
• He records his life on the lifestyle channel ‘ReggiesJourney’ on YouTube.
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