THERE is one name that stands above the rest when it comes to African contemporary music in Namibia, and that name undoubtedly is Elemotho.Elemotho Gaalelkwe Richardo Mosimane was born in the Gobabis, in the Omaheke region on a farm. Wildlife, livestock and fire side stories aided this young boy as he grew up and fuelled his passions for a genre of music that transcended the traditional and embraces the fusion of language, eclectic sounds and humanity in all forms. He calls himself a musical activist, and his journey through life not only as a man but as a performing artiste bears testimony to that."As a thoughtful child, I felt compelled to draw and paint, and even though I was surrounded by a lot of traditional Setswana groups and choirs growing up, it was only until university that I showed an interest in music,” says Elemotho. After university, his wanderlust for travelling and experiencing the world took hold, and armed with his guitar he went to the America. "For two years I performed, I worked as a part time teacher, I travelled Namibia and I went to France and Germany for theatre and music training.”Elemotho is known to have once said, "I grew up as a child of apartheid, and so politics is a part of me I guess, I carry it on my sleeve, as I carry the questions of life.” He has just signed a five year worldwide distribution deal with a UK based record company, Arc Music, and this boy from the Kalahari is buoyant. "This is a beautiful time to be alive”, he says. This is surely Elemotho’s time to shine. New Era