Werah Café and Theatre - a hub for creatives
There is a place for local creatives to get their juices flowing and network and that place is in Rundu.
Local businessman Nanyemba Katamba opened Werah Café and Theatre in 2015, with the aim of strengthening arts and creative expression in his community.
Four years later this facility has become a popular spot in Rundu where artists host their events. In an interview with tjil, Katamba said that there are not enough facilities of this kind in Rundu and the lack thereof has badly impacted the growth of art initiatives at the town. “Opening this facility was my way of trying to ensure that art enthusiasts, especially young people, have a place where they can perform and express their talents,” said Katamba. Divided into three compartments Werah Café and Theatre has a capacity of 200 people. “The three compartments are made up of the theatre space, craft centre and café' area,” he said.
Since its inception, Katamba said he is now beginning to see more people getting involved and making use of the facility. He attributes this to the monthly concerts that the facility has started.
He shared that they have a monthly initiative called 'Night around the fire' where artists perform live with their bands around the fire. “We wanted to give this concept an African feel, hence the name.”
“At the beginning of this year, we also partnered up with Courage the Comedian, where we are going to have a comedy show every month end. His first show was last month and it was a success,” said Katamba.
Katamba added that for his second instalment, Courage the Comedian will have a workshop to train local comedians before the show. He shared that the vision is to have Kavango comedians doing stand-up comedy in vernacular languages. “But before we attain this we first need to gain skills that is why Courage will give training to aspiring comedians.”
On challenges of running this theatre space, Katamba said that there is a perception that if you are based in the township, it is not good enough, so many are reluctant to visit the facility. “We need to shift away from that mindset and respect that the masses come from these places and if we make it fashionable other people will find it easier to come support us,” he said.
Another challenge, Katamba pointed out was that there is little contact between tourists and local people. He however, said he is trying to tap into the tourist market so that “tourists who are housed at nice lodges along the river can come to Werah Café and experience our culture and know who we are.
They can come watch theatre plays bout our people”.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
Four years later this facility has become a popular spot in Rundu where artists host their events. In an interview with tjil, Katamba said that there are not enough facilities of this kind in Rundu and the lack thereof has badly impacted the growth of art initiatives at the town. “Opening this facility was my way of trying to ensure that art enthusiasts, especially young people, have a place where they can perform and express their talents,” said Katamba. Divided into three compartments Werah Café and Theatre has a capacity of 200 people. “The three compartments are made up of the theatre space, craft centre and café' area,” he said.
Since its inception, Katamba said he is now beginning to see more people getting involved and making use of the facility. He attributes this to the monthly concerts that the facility has started.
He shared that they have a monthly initiative called 'Night around the fire' where artists perform live with their bands around the fire. “We wanted to give this concept an African feel, hence the name.”
“At the beginning of this year, we also partnered up with Courage the Comedian, where we are going to have a comedy show every month end. His first show was last month and it was a success,” said Katamba.
Katamba added that for his second instalment, Courage the Comedian will have a workshop to train local comedians before the show. He shared that the vision is to have Kavango comedians doing stand-up comedy in vernacular languages. “But before we attain this we first need to gain skills that is why Courage will give training to aspiring comedians.”
On challenges of running this theatre space, Katamba said that there is a perception that if you are based in the township, it is not good enough, so many are reluctant to visit the facility. “We need to shift away from that mindset and respect that the masses come from these places and if we make it fashionable other people will find it easier to come support us,” he said.
Another challenge, Katamba pointed out was that there is little contact between tourists and local people. He however, said he is trying to tap into the tourist market so that “tourists who are housed at nice lodges along the river can come to Werah Café and experience our culture and know who we are.
They can come watch theatre plays bout our people”.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
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