By: Envaalde Matheus
The Covid-19 pandemic has hard hit the social industry, and due to measures put in place to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus, there has been barely anything happening in the entertainment fraternity in the country.
With the aim of resuscitating local social businesses, Flaming Event Organisers hosted Train Smash on Saturday, 5 February 2022, in Windhoek at TransNamib train station.
Train Smash is a social event organised with the primary idea of displaying and marketing products and allowing the youth to do business and have fun. It was also meant to promote Namibian products like food and drinks.
Chairperson of Windhoek Wine Club, Gerswhin Hamunyela, who had a store at the event selling strictly Namibian wines, was so excited about the event.
“The atmosphere is different and amazing. The whole platform is other locations, different themes. Today is a train theme. We are looking forward to hosting another event.
“Who knows, maybe it’s going to be horse riding, car rising or maybe on an aeroplane?” said Hamunyela
A series of activities went down, ranging from train tours to music performances with various music genres. A bigger crowd pulled up, and it was all live at the train station. Even though the rain almost bunged the proceeding, the event was described as a success.
Lazarus Hishekwa, who organised the event, narrated how he got exceptionally creative to think of hosting an event on a train, saying he wants to impact people’s social life, leave a footprint in their lives and keep the social industry going.
“We have a train station and desert train, which I feel is underutilised, so I figured what if I pull off something new to people, not something that people are so used to and at the same time creates something that people will be excited about? If I impact their lives, I might make it worth their while. So what is better than an event on a train?” said Hishekwa, who expressed his disappointment that the social industry is under-recognised, further claiming that they scarcely get assistance from anyone; otherwise, they have to fight for it.
Next on the menu, Flamingo Event Organisers will be hosting a Sunday First: Bruch Ordeal with the motive of embracing the culture of brunch. They are also hoping to host another event on a train, but next time on a moving train.
