PROFILE

By Simon Liseli

HE is a-26-year old-young man who does poetry, an entrepreneur, a youth activist, writer, film maker, actor, mentor, photographer; creative director, a Reggae Dance-hall and Afro-Music Recording Artist since (2009) when he was in grade 6; he was born and raised in Katima Mulilo.

His real names are Mr. Jerry Mwikisa Lusiku but popularly known by his fans as Emzee Mayor. He was born on 14 May 1997 at Katima Mulilo State Hospital in Zambezi region, Namibia. He is the last born in a family of  four (4) , two women and two (2) men. His late father is Mr. Kenny Lusiku, a Zambian national and his mother is Ms. Anister Kanyanso from Makanga area west of Zambezi Region. He grew up being the only male child of his mother

Mwikisa is currently a father of three kids, one son and two daughters, his religion is a full-time Rastafari.

His schooling footprints can be traced from Makanga Combined School where he started his grade 1-2 in 2004-2005 and transferred to Greenwell Matongo Primary School where he continued with his grade 3-5 and again was transferred to Brendan Simbwaye Primary School,  where he did his grade 6 -7 and started his music as a Kwaito Artist with other young stars such as Belle Markhasoh, Kizzy, Mr. Rikiti and others that he further introduced to the Music Industry in Katima Mulilo.

In 2011 he was then transferred to Mayuni Senior Secondary School, where he did only grade 8 and was brought back in town at Ngweze Senior Secondary School for grade 9 and 10.

In 2014-2015 Mr. Lusiku matriculated at Saint Kizito College and he got his admission at the University of Namibia (UNAM) in 2016, where he enrolled to study for an Honours Degree in Public Management majoring Political Science and International Relations, but due to financial challenges and other family issues he seized his studies in his third (3rd) year of study. In June 2018, He formed a youth-led, community and charity based organization called ‘My Voice in Society’.

From November 2017 to January 2018, he did his work internship training at Zambezi Regional Council, where he worked with planning and development department.

According to him, the My Voice in Society Organisation envisions to continue engaging in skills development and raising awareness with an increase in knowledge and understanding on issues such as Gender Based Violence, Sexual Reproduction Health, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and many other social and economic emancipation initiatives.

In the same year 2018 they started a Multi-Digital and Entertainment company called Geniune Media Minds CC with Mr. Nonge Kaine (Lord Dobby), Their vision was to have a platform where all youth, civil society’s activities can be interlinked for sustainable developments through music, poetry, arts, culture, film-making and other activities.

Mwikisa further explained that the aims to create Geniune Media Minds was and still is, to offer enhanced digital innovation and creativity for locals and embracing one’s identity.

He moved back to Windhoek and worked in various corporate companies (MusicaWorld, SPAR etc) and while doing other life hustles as a freelance photographer, film maker, content creator and as a marketing officer for different institutions and while freelancing he worked hand in hand with Jumper-Namibia where he worked closely with a certain man by the name of Mr. Andreas Elifas, who initiated him through shooting, directing and acting for commercial television adverts with the KINO NAMIBIA FILM FESTIVAL.

In 2019-2021, he was employed by Lifeline/Childline Organisation, where he worked as a Community Facilitator in Windhoek (male champion), Psycho-Social Counsellor and Qualified HIV Rapid Tester for Project Hope under Dreams Project.

In 2021 he resigned from the above projects to pursue his dreams as a film marker. He wrote and directed his first film that he called ‘The Narrow Street’ which was sponsored by Namibia Film Commission, the film that is yet to be released next month (March  2023), the first of its kind in Zambezi region.

Last year (2022) he was elected by Namibia Youth Action Movement (NAYAM) as a Chairperson in Zambezi under Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA). While working as Chairperson he has been mentoring others, shooting films, directing music, documentaries and also ventured in agriculture specifically in Horticulture after his training with the Chinese Embassy.

He divulged that some challenges at hand and that he is facing as a creative and innovative youth in the region is funding for any creative idea to keep moving and also lack of support from the community.

“We are seeking for community support, but people don’t understand what we want to offer to them because they lack knowledge, they are unwillingly to change due to the fact that they are not exposed to the new views of the world as they are still stuck to tradition and cultural norms that limits that potential and they lack team work skills as people talk too much and do less” he noted.

He added that as a youth his facing procrastination(not doing work on time). He called all young people (Youth) in the region not to lose hope in whatever they do but to have faith in ‘God’ and believe in their hustle regardless of where they come from, gender, their social-economic or political status.

“I really encourage young people to use their minds and hands wisely. They should seek for help or assistance on things they don’t understand or where they lack knowledge” he seriously advised young people.

He remarked that young people must be proud of who they are by visualizing their future and contribute to community and national developments through innovative and creative means.

“They should set achievable goals and work together for a better future, by constantly improving their skills, talents, hobbies and stay away from alcohol and drug abuse, rather to see opportunities in every challenge they face” He explained.

He concluded by encouraging youth to humble themselves and always volunteer as he use to do in some  cases in order to learn more new skills and knowledge from others, with the vision to see a violent free society, welcoming Zambezi region with youth leadership driving the economic  change through innovative and creativity means.

For more contact: jerrylusiku@gmail.com, M-ZEE MAYOR MAYOR@facebook, emzee_mayor_official@instagram