2 minute read
The Tribe
#TheTribeExclusive featuring Tunakie, Queen of Otyaka
Known as the Queen of Otyaka in her motherland, Namibia, Tunakie is spreading her wings wider and planting roots in neighbouring lands while also tapping into audiences around the world. In this episode of #TheTribeExclusive she lets us into her life as a mother, into her music, business and her passion for making music that is unique to Namibia.
Tunakie grew up in northern Namibia in a small village called Ontananga. Raised by her grandparents, she was surrounded by the lively sounds of traditional music and the accompanying rhythm of the cultural dances that came with it.
Eventually she moved to the town of Oniipa where she stayed with an aunt. It was there that young Tunakie fell in love with singing and performing. “I joined a cultural group in Oniipa of which I was the lead singer. One day we performed at the opening of the Oshakati stadium, where DJ Remind approached me and asked if I wanted to be a solo artist. It all started from there. I recorded a song and the rest is history”, Tunakie recounts.
The singer has since made a name for herself as one of the few popular Namibian musicians specialising in traditional music.
“I’m so glad I chose traditional music. It’s because of the type of music I’m doing that I’ve been called to represent my country in Europe, America, China and Dubai. I’ve been almost everywhere with my music and it’s not even over yet”, she says and adds that representing her country on the global stage is her biggest accomplishment.
When she’s not in the studio or on stage, Tunakie enjoys life as a mother of three. She describes motherhood as “beautiful” and as her best motivation to work harder.
Tunakie encourages upcoming musicians to stay true to their roots and strive to make music that’s unique to Namibia.
“I think we can just stay true to ourselves. Remember that we are making music as Namibians, not as South Africans, not as Americans, we are making it as Namibians because that’s our uniqueness. So make your R&B uniquely Namibian. Make your Kwaito, hip hop and all other genres Namibian enough so that you can represent us”, she says.
Watch The Tribe on One Africa TV (GoTV 90), DStv Now, TV2Africa.com every Friday at 18h30 and repeat shows on Wednesdays at 07h00 and on Saturdays at 17h30. Alternatively, listen to The Tribe on 99FM every Friday at 19h00, and follow The Tribe on Instagram @thetribenamibia and Facebook @TheTribeNamibia.
