KAITE marks 70th anniversary with music and entertainment

The Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo (KAITE) will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a programme of music, comedy and entertainment, culminating in a major musical event on 31 October.

Jevanius van Rooyen, the coordinator of the musical event, said the line-up would feature local DJs alongside South African DJ Milo, the main act for the evening. The musical event will follow the Miss KAITE 2026 pageant on 23 October and a gospel show on 24 October featuring award-winning South African gospel singer, songwriter and producer Newie, whose real name is Ronewa Nthabalala. “I am heading to Namibia to perform. Please go and get your tickets, invite your family and friends, and let’s meet in Keetmanshoop,” Newie, who hails from Vleifontein in Limpopo, said in a social media message. Comedy fans can also look forward to loads of laughter in a show featuring Antie Katriena, Japie Mosterd and Lyntjie Jars on 28 October.

Van Rooyen said DJ Milo, who is from Johannesburg, would headline the musical event, bringing his mix of hip-hop, R&B and house music to the southern town. Known for his genre-spanning sets and online mixes, DJ Milo has performed in Namibia several times but has not yet played in the south, making this his first performance in the region. “He knows how to keep the crowd moving, whether he is playing deep, commercial or tribal house,” van Rooyen said.

This year’s programme will focus on DJs, with organisers aiming to create more opportunities for local talent to perform alongside an established South African act. “Artists have a platform throughout the year to showcase their talent. We came up with the idea of catering for DJs in the south and giving them an opportunity to share a stage with a South African DJ people want to see perform,” van Rooyen said. “Opportunities like this are rare, especially in the south, where there are limited platforms for artists, DJs and MCs.”

DJ Milo will share the stage with Namibian-raised DJ Solange Torres, known as The Boy Solange. Van Rooyen said she had established herself in the local music scene, particularly in hip-hop, in an industry largely dominated by men. The line-up will also include local DJs DJ Kexnuu and the duo 2WODUO, among others. Van Rooyen said the entertainment programme was intended to appeal to people of all ages and reflect KAITE’s role as a community and cultural event. “It gives adults and children an opportunity to socialise, enjoy themselves and interact in a relaxed environment,” he said. He added that KAITE’s entertainment offering had evolved since 2019, when the expo mainly featured local performers. Last year, organisers brought in South African rap duo 21 Promo and Penguii from Paarl in the Western Cape. “Despite limited funding, we are taking it to another level this year, with DJ Milo set to keep the crowd moving,” van Rooyen said.

He expects about 1,000 people to attend the musical event, with thousands more visiting the expo throughout its duration over five days. Security will be a priority, he said, adding that organisers were consulting a local security company and planning a site visit to assess requirements. The organisers had also engaged the Namibian police. “A successful 70th anniversary will be one without incidents of violence or crime,” van Rooyen said. He said the expo was also expected to benefit local businesses, with accommodation establishments already receiving bookings and visitors likely to spend money at service stations, retail shops and food outlets. “Visitors from different parts of the country will converge on Keetmanshoop. KAITE contributes to the town’s economy through accommodation, retail spending and other services,” he said.

The event will also provide opportunities for small businesses and vendors to generate income and promote their products and services. Food stalls and bar facilities will be available at the venue. “It is a great platform not only to make extra money but also to showcase your product or service to the public,” van Rooyen said.