Acting not lucrative in Namibia

Brumelda English is passionate about the performing arts and she hopes one day she can make a living out of it in Namibia
A graduate of the University of Namibia and a professional journalist, recently performed in the controversial one woman play, ‘My Koek is Moeg’ which was showcased on Tuesday.
After winning the Best Newcomer 2013 at the Namibian Theatre Awards she thought the acting roles would be plenty and since everyone sang her praises, but since then she has not been on the stage until recently.
“It is very difficult to get roles in Namibia as an up coming actress, even though people see your talent they would rather higher actors who have been in the industry for a while and not give the new comers a chance,” said English.

“Which is a pity because there are many talented new actresses that I have seen performing, and I am not saying that the legendary actors should be left out, they are there because of their hard work and talent and they deserve to be there,” she added.
She longs for the day that she can just wake up in the morning and be content because she knows she is doing what she was born to do which is acting.
She thanked Jacques Mushaandja the director of ‘My Koek is Moeg’ for giving her the opportunity to be on stage again and she hopes that after seeing her performance other directors will give her an opportunity to receive more roles.
“I do not see myself behind the scenes as a director or acting in a films, I love the adrenaline rush of performing in front of a live audience,” she said
English has had small roles before and has also been an assistant director before, but one of her memorable roles besides playing Poppie Plaatjies in ‘My Koek is Moeg’, was playing Lettie in Shebeen Queen. “For the future I hope that I can make a living out of acting in Namibia and entertain, Namibian audiences through the regions, with stories that they can relate too,” said English.