Lize Ehlers — Namibian musician and creative who represented Namibia at Toronto Pride and released "Call On Me," which won 2026 entry song of the year.
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July 2025
The Namibian
Artist Lize Ehlersopened proceedings with renditions ofthe French and Namibian national anthems
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“Celebrated artist Lize Ehlers opened proceedings with stirring renditions of the French and Namibian national anthems and Vigneau noted deputy minister of international relations and trade Jenelly Matundu as an honoured guest.”
Lize Ehlersis doingthe social Song Night Namibia calendar for Craft Cafe Bellissima
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“Apart from her monthly gigs at The Village Sunday Market, the trailblazer, also known as DJ Rise Ehlers, does the social Song Night Namibia calendar for Craft Cafe Bellissima as well.”
Lize Ehlerswas crownedinternational extraordinary ally winner at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association World Conference 2024
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“She was crowned as the international extraordinary ally winner at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association World Conference 2024, which came after she was honoured as Namibia's best ally at the 2022 Spectrum Awards.”
Lize Ehlersis co-owner of Drag Night Namibia and spun decks with old school jams, serenading crowd withWhitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'
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“Co-owner of Drag Night Namibia Lize Ehlers AKA DJ Rise Elders spun the decks with a vibrant mix of old school jams taking us back to the early 2000s, and she didn't just stop there, serenading the crowd with a powerful rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'.”
Lize Ehlerswill performat Pride Pop-Up's one year anniversary celebration.
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“Finally, Pride Pop-Up will end the week with a celebration of its one year anniversary featuring a meet and greet with Mr Gay World 2021 and a special performance by Lize Ehlers.”
Lize Ehlersisfounder and director of RMB Song Night
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“Lize Ehlers is the founder and director of RMB Song Night, a free national platform developing emerging singers, and has successfully mentored many upcoming Namibian singers.”
Lize Ehlerswondebut Artist of the Year at the Namibian Annual Music Awards
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“For the singer, who spent nine days in Thailand as part of her prize for winning the debut Artist of the Year at the Namibian Annual Music Awards last year, Thailand's soundscape is a clash of sonic colour.”
Lize Ehlersstayed atPatong Merlin Hotel in Phuket for first five days
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“"Our first five days were in Phuket. Patong Beach was festively Valentine (like on steroids) with live music and heart-shaped photo corners at every second restaurant, street vendors, parasailing on the beach and B-boys on Bangla road. It was booming with boxing matches, food stalls and massage parlours calling our names 24/7," says Ehlers, who stayed at the Patong Merlin Hotel, just 100 metres from the beach.”
An opinion piece argues that Windhoek, while lacking the energy of Lagos, has distinctive character and appeal, particularly for well-travelled visitors, and that finding things to do depends on the visitor's mindset and effort.
An opinion piece argues that Windhoek, while lacking the energy of Lagos, has distinctive character and appeal, particularly for well-travelled visitors, and that finding things to do depends on the visitor's mindset and effort.
A writer reflects on Windhoek's cultural calendar, highlighting the annual Bastille Day garden party at the French ambassador's house, where short speeches, quality charcuterie, and champagne celebrate 14 July and France's art de vivre. The article notes that Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a key event of the French Revolution that ended the French monarchy.
Namibian musicians have welcomed a new global labelling system introduced by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to classify sound recordings as either "AI-generated" or "AI-assisted", saying it could improve transparency, strengthen copyright protection, and help listeners distinguish between human-created and AI-generated music.
Namibian musician and creative Lize Ehlers represented Namibia at Toronto Pride celebrations in Canada as an international ally ambassador, performing and marching alongside international leaders, and called for greater investment in the country's creative industry.
Namibian singer, songwriter and disability advocate Alvarita Lucungo, born with congenital glaucoma and nystagmus, released her debut album 'Fin' in 2019 and plans a next album titled 'Ellipsis'. She is also a trainer and advocate with views on disability, stigma and barriers, sharing her story on the WeSpeak Podcast, a platform for people with disabilities.
Crown & Glory Hair & Beauty Salon held its official launch on 7 June at Windhoek's revamped MegaCentre in Kleine Kuppe, bringing together consumers, business partners, sponsors, pageant representatives and community leaders. The salon's vision focuses on the connection between inner and outer beauty and the importance of partnerships in empowering individuals and communities.
A listing of upcoming events in Namibia includes theatre workshops, art exhibitions, training sessions, and family expos over the coming weeks. Events range from stage actor training labs at the National Theatre of Namibia to an art exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, along with workshops on farm safety and urban gardening.
The Namibian lists upcoming local events including a wine tasting at Atlantic Villa in Swakopmund (N$300), a Women's Weekend Away getaway, a cake decorating workshop at Droombos (N$2,500), and advanced stage actors training at the National Theatre of Namibia.
The Village Sunday Market at Zest Mediterranean Restaurant in Windhoek drew over 450 visitors this past weekend, featuring 52 vendor stalls selling thrifted clothes, handmade jewellery, baked goods, and other local products, alongside live music. Founded during the Covid-19 pandemic to support local vendors, the market has grown from 10 stalls in the founder's driveway to its current capacity, with plans to train vendors to improve product presentation.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invited industry stakeholders to help shape the return of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), which have been dormant since MTC withdrew funding in 2020. A stakeholder engagement session is scheduled for 14 March to strengthen the awards' credibility and gather input on award categories, industry development needs, and future direction.
Rising Windhoek-based singer Panduleni Gideon has signed a full record deal with Sony Music Africa in partnership with ERA Music Group and will release her first single 'Tiki Tak Tak' on 27 February. She is reported to be the only Namibian artist with a direct recording contract under Sony Music Africa's global roster.
From musicians and fashion designers to visual artists and comedians, Namibian creatives are entering 2026 with sharpened purpose, focusing on international expansion, sustainable careers, and industry unity. Common themes include building collaborative networks, prioritizing authenticity and mentorship, and reducing dependence on government support to create their own opportunities.
The National Theatre of Namibia is launching a Stage Actors Training Lab starting 7 February, offering weekly Saturday sessions for amateur and professional actors. Training covers voice, acting technique, movement, improvisation, and professional development, facilitated by experienced local theatre practitioners, with tickets at N$50 per session.
Local songstress Lize Ehlers has released "Call On Me," a collaboration with Shafa The G.O.A.T that debuted on 31 December and won Touch FM's 2026 entry song of the year award and IUM Radio's Battle of the Beats. The track is described as blending Afro-spiritual, alternative soul and cinematic African pop, and appears on Ehlers' album of the same name featuring several other collaborations.
Namibian-German artist Lize Ehlers' single 'Call On Me', featuring Shafa The G.O.A.T, has been named entry song of the year by Touch FM and won battle of the beats on IUM Radio. The track draws on Ehlers' personal experiences of solitude and celebrates ancestral support, blending Zulu, German, Oshiwambo, and San heritage.