Gloria Del Mar performs at NUTS on Friday

Jemimah Ndebele
Renowned Namibian singer-songwriter Gloria Del Mar promises an unforgettable performance at the Goethe-Institut Namibia on Friday. The 27-year-old artist, whose music reflects her personal experiences and relationships, perform as part of the Night Under the Stars (NUTS) series. This highly anticipated event is part of the Goethe-Institut's ongoing efforts to support and promote local artists and live music. Del Mar began her journey into music at the age of nine, gaining exposure by posting cover songs on SoundCloud during her high school years. Her influences range from American legends such as Whitney Houston and Tina Turner to traditional Namibian music. Although she does not speak Khoekhoegowab, she effortlessly incorporates the language into her performances, demonstrating her deep connection to her cultural heritage. In just two years of her professional career, Del Mar has achieved significant milestones. Her song “Enchantée” was featured in episode 2 of season 4 of Netflix series Blood and Water. She also played the lead role in the Namibian adaptation of “The Wasp”, which will be performed at the National Theatre of Namibia in April 2025. Del Mar's artistic journey has been enriched by her studies at the Identity School of Acting in London, performances with the National Symphony Orchestra and a producer's retreat with Electric Desert offered by the Goethe-Institut Namibia. “It gave me a lot more confidence to make the music myself. I learned the language to explain to producers what I want when creating songs,” she noted. Del Mar is looking forward to her performance at the Goethe-Institut Namibia and hopes to connect with a diverse audience, including “new, young faces” that she doesn't usually meet at events like the Indie Music Festival or the Good Food Market. A self-taught guitarist and ukulele player, Del Mar plans to incorporate these instruments into her performance, stepping outside of her usual environment. "When I perform, I really enjoy it. It comes from a genuine joy and love of music and trying to connect with the audience," she emphasized.