Patience Makwele
While many children spend their free time playing games, livestreaming on TikTok or YouTube, or watching television, 10-year-old Anointing Mutakame Kavehaha, popularly known as Minister Anointed, is using his voice to spread messages of hope and faith through gospel music.
The Windhoek-based singer says his love for music began at the age of three when he turned ordinary kitchen utensils into musical instruments.
“When I was three years old, I used to take my mother’s spoons and make beats and lyrics,” he said.
Asked who inspired his passion for singing, Anointed credited his older brother, Alex, whom he shared that he watched him sing in church.
Since then, he has gone on to write and record his own gospel music with the support of his family.
One of his best-known songs is titled I Am a Victor, and was inspired by his desire to encourage people facing life’s challenges.
“In Christ, there are a lot of things we go through. That inspired me to write I Am a Victor to inspire others, bring many souls to Christ and encourage others to write their own songs,” he said.
Behind the young artist’s growing ministry is his mother, Sonya Aruqua, who says she recognised his gift long before he stepped onto a stage.
“I saw that he was really a singer because he could make up beats and lyrics on his own. Little did I know that he would become a minister,” she said.
Despite his growing profile, Aruqua says education remains a top priority.
“The first condition is school. If he does not do well academically, we have a problem. I always follow up on his schoolwork, but he has managed to balance both,” she said.
She recalled noticing there was something unique about her son from an early age, saying he would often wake the family in the middle of the night to pray.
Those moments, she said, strengthened her belief that he had a special calling.
At school, Anointed says his classmates have embraced his music and continue to encourage him.
“They are really proud of me and they say they want to be like me when they grow up,” he said.
Although his music is available on YouTube and other social media platforms, the young singer says his greatest ambition is not fame, but touching lives through his music.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue writing songs that uplift people and strengthen their faith.
“I want to write many songs to bring souls to Christ so people can be healed,” he said.
His advice to other young people who are afraid to pursue their talents is simple:
“Follow your dreams.”
