Swakopmund — The now legendary Mascato choir was established in 1996 and was initially known as the Coastal Youth Choir. It changed to its present name in 1998 when they took part in an international choir competition in Pretoria and were recognized by the Mascato Fish company.

"The need for the coastal youth to receive tuition in music as well as to develop their musical skills resulted in the forming of the Coastal Youth Choir," said veteran music teacher and the brilliant mind behind the success of these young kids, choir leader Ena Venter.

Originally from Windhoek and a music teacher who first started out with the Windhoek Youth Choir and thereafter the Windhoek High School which participated in numerous competitions in South Africa, Venter now lives in Swakopmund, where she moved after retirement.

"I have a passion for young people and I found that with this medium I could reach so much more young ones," she said.

Venter described with fondness how the Mascato Youth Choir has become like family over the years.

"Most of these young people have now become young adults - some who have left the town and even the country - keep in touch with us via e-mail. I am proud that the choir had and still contributes a positive spirit to the youth at the coast in particular - and doing what we do best for how Namibia as a country can benefit," she said.

"Our music repertoire reflects our diverse cultural background and this is a factor that particularly derives interest from all over the world. We have found that through our traditional music, we could reach out to people, especially visitors to Namibia."

Today the initial group of inexperienced youths from high schools in and around Swakopmund have grown into a matured, polished team who are frequently requested to sing for visiting diplomats and foreign dignitaries as well as various groups of tourists

Between 1996 and 2004 the Mascato Youth Choir has worked and performed with approximately 33 choirs from different countries like South Africa, England, Germany, France, Canada and even with the Yale University Glee Club Choir from the USA.

The choir won medals during 1997 and 1998 in two different international choral competitions in South Africa. Their first international tour to Germany and France took place in 2000. Thereafter the choir participated in 2001 and 2002 respectively at the prestigious Gala Concerts with high-ranking South African choirs.

They went on a successful concert tour in Galicia in Spain in 2003 and represented Namibia at the 12th World Gymnaestrada in Lisbon, Portugal.

Back on home soil the choir hosted three distinguished choirs from abroad - the Kokopelli Choir from Alberta, Canada; the Port Elizabeth University Choir as well as the Pro Cantu Youth Choir from Cape Town.

"In 2008 we were honoured to perform at the opening of the African Union in Addis Ababa and also at the state banquet. We are being invited all the time and it truly gives us a feeling of accomplishment, which we deeply appreciate. "Also in 2008 we performed at the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival in collaboration with Aldo Behrens in his musical 'The Wannabe'.

"This performance exposed participants to choreography and a live orchestra which took them to another level," she said.

"We keep involved with other international choirs and just recently also performed with the Oldenburg Gospel Voices here in Swakopmund. We are planning to bring out a new double CD early next year, but apart from that, it is just amazing how we still receive weekly feedback on our older music," Venter said.

Another project Mascato would love to embark on next year is a musical. No dates have been set but the music for that has been written already.

A choir member since 2002 as a Grade 9 youth, Engelhardt Uinaib, who in the meantime studied music in Canada, is currently the assistant choir leader of Mascato.

Not only do the choir members develop as performing entertainers, but also in terms of leadership.

Currently there are six choir leaders at various schools in the Erongo Region, amongst others Swakopmund Secondary School, Westside High School, Duneside and Kuisebmund.

Two of these schools, namely, Swakopmund Secondary School and Martin Luther from Omaruru will represent their schools in Bloemfontein.

"To have won the Imba competition two weeks ago in Windhoek is another highlight. We stay motivated because we truly enjoy what we are doing.

"We have already started with new music for the new CD and yes, we are passionate about our music, we love to sing and it shows and best of all, we are doing it for Namibia " Venter concluded.