馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Alvarita Lucungo discusses music, advocacy, and living with a disability
via The Namibian6 min read
Namibian singer, songwriter, and disability advocate Alvarita Lucungo, formerly known as Alvara, shared insights into her life and career on the WeSpeak Podcast. Born with congenital glaucoma and nystagmus, which led to vision loss, Lucungo began her music career in 2018, releasing her debut album 'Fin' in 2019. The album's title, French for 'the end,' symbolized the end of her silence and her transition into adulthood as a young woman with a disability. She is currently working on a new album titled 'Ellipsis,' representing continuation and incompleteness. Lucungo emphasizes storytelling in her music to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, aiming to provide representation she lacked growing up. She recounts experiencing discrimination in school, which she identifies as stigma that can negatively impact confidence and future opportunities for people with disabilities. While acknowledging physical barriers in inaccessible performance spaces and challenges common to Namibian artists, she views her disability as a "superpower" that offers a unique creative perspective. Her advocacy work became more active through TikTok, where she shares her story to challenge misconceptions about disability. Lucungo notes that Namibia's creative industry lags in inclusivity compared to international examples like Germany's Grenzenlos Culture Festival, which featured accessible theatre designs and sensory support. However, she commends the National Theatre of Namibia for its program s
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Laliq Adams secured a gold medal in the girls under-14 shotput event at the World Youth Games in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Saturday. Her winning throw measured 13.58 meters. This marks Namibia's first gold medal at this year's event, with Adams following Mathew Coetzee, who won gold last year in the 80m dash. Adams is a student at Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, which congratulated her, stating that her hard work, dedication, and determination have borne fruit, and that she represented both the school and Namibia with pride. The school also extended congratulations to her coaches, parents, and supporters, acknowledging their contribution to her historic achievement.
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