Kandi Lu, a jack of all trades
• By Rosalia David
WITH dancers sidelined and not getting their equal share from their work in the entertainment industry over the years, the sky is the limit for Lurdi Kandiwapa Aron who continues to dance her way up despite the challenges.
This week Confidente sat down with the multi-talented dancer, actress, YouTuber and baker -who featured in the popular Saka video by PDK- to get a glimpse on how she manages to keep on top of the game.
RD: Who exactly is Kandi Lu Aron?
LA: My full names are Lurdi Kandiwapa Aron. Also known as Aunty Lu and Amor. I am a daughter, sister and an aunty.
I am a freestyle lover and liver of life. My second name Kandiwapa means I cannot thank God enough, because Jesus is absolutely good with his blessings and presence in my life.
Thankful and happy is what I represent in my life.
Kandi Lu is a lover of God through trusting God with everything that is given to me on a daily basis.
I am also a vibrant advocate for change in my country. We need change and I believe for change to happen we need to change the minds first. I am your friendly neighbourhood positivist.
RD: Kindly give us a brief background on when exactly you started dancing?
LA: My family says since the age of five. My aunties were the talent in the family. They danced Kwasa kwasa and also modelled. We were forced to learn the dance moves because I guess they were just bullies in that sense.
Thank God though because it became fun whenever we had neighbourhood talent shows and we would all be partaking because I guess the inclusion made me feel a special part of something.
RD: Have you always wanted to be a dancer and when was the first time you stepped on a professional stage?
LA: I have always enjoyed dance as far as I can remember. In high school I took part in all the Zula high school dancing championships and won three years straight and even got awarded best dancer in the group.
The realisation of being a dancer had not sank in yet, because you must understand school was drilled into me to be the ultimate priority. And one doesn’t think that you can be a dancer and make it a career.
So dance only became apparent to me in recent years. Funny thing is I never really knew what I wanted to do until the age of 23 when I thought that perhaps one day I will open up a dance academy because I realised what it did to me as human.
It was only in 2019 that I left my job to really step into my dancing or talents, but I thought perhaps I need a business to support the dancing and that’s when I came up with the cookie business.
First time on stage was in my third grade when I was modelling for Little Miss K W von Marees … I think that is what it was called, my primary school located in Okahandja. I won, so that was a nice affirmation. I guess that stage was my thing.
RD: How would you describe the dancing industry in Namibia compared to other countries?
LA: It could use a Kandi Lu let’s just say that. Because I am advocating for it to become a career. Imagine if it became a sport, even here in Namibia under the Ministry of Arts and Sports even.
Well we all dance. But what about dancing as a career. Dance that touches the soul, that you can do nothing else but that. In Namibia it is non-existent. Because unless you live rent free, dancing as a livelihood is not sought after. The industry cannot support it, and of course a lot of factors play into it. Population, willingness of support from society, government funds in art because it falls under it. We do not have a dance supporting industry.
We need a mind shift and money system to support this. Dancing in Namibia, and getting paid to dance in Namibia is being a dancer for an artist. But what about a feature?
I do not know of freestyle dancers who are simply living off of dance and that’s it.But boundaries need to be pushed and that’s what I am challenging my country and economy.
Well compared to other countries i.e. say Dubai, SA, Finland I could easily have a better chance at being a successful well paid dancer because of the diversity and style of dance that these countries allow.
RD: Who are some of the popular faces you have worked with?
LA: Well my most proud moment was working with PDK in Saka. What a production, what a team! Well deserving of the million views.
Currently, I am having so much fun with my bestie Jessica (Amorita) better known as Cassi Jessica. We just have this profound love and admiration for dancing together and it just makes sense with her. I remember praying for a ‘bestie’ that can dance. Let’s just say God does answer prayers. I am truly such a lucky girl.
Top Cheri is my favorite you know and DJ Kboz and Mr Glo.
Recent music video was with Chikune Mundu Wandje. I was approached by Maria Nepembe.
What a beautiful talent.
RD: What inspires your moves?
LA: My body has this thing about beats. African beats. Slow beats. Anything that electrifies it, I will move to it. Music is sentimental. It triggers you internally and the movements you deliver outside are those effects. It just has to make me feel good and I am breaking my body to it already. Most of my dance helps me get through life. To me it’s therapy.