As Namibia celebrates Independence Day this week, it is also an ideal moment to reflect on the country's cultural contributions.

Amid the years of the liberation struggle in 1989, a movie that would capture the hearts of many was being shot in Tsumkwe: The Gods must be Crazy. 

It is one that Namibians can be proud of, given its contribution to the film industry worldwide.

The main actor in the movie, N!xau ǂToma, has since died, but have you ever wondered about the whereabouts of the two little girls, Namties and Airos?

"The Gods must be Crazy" presents an authentic African comedy, which Namibians can hardly get enough of.

Several decades have passed since its release, and it remains a favorite among locals and people around the world.

The themes of cultural exchange and humor accommodate viewers of all ages.

The journey began with South African filmmakers who were searching for actresses to play the roles of the minor children, Namties and Airos.

During a visit to Keetmasnhoop's Don Bosco Primary School, the crew discovered two young girls who perfectly fit the roles.

They were Wilhemina Fredericks and Leonora Jacobs, who acted as the daughters of the character played by the late actor, N!xau ǂToma.

Though they lacked any prior acting experience, it was their natural charisma and charm that won over the hearts of the filmmakers.

"The white people came to our school looking for children to play in the movie. They came into our class, and then I asked who they were. I was the talkative one in the class," Wilhemina Fredericks narrated her experience. 

Their performance helped to make "The Gods Must Be Crazy" a worldwide sensation, and the film is still beloved to this day.

Their stories and acting abilities are a testament to the enduring power of art and the resilience of the human spirit.

"They put a hyena behind the stall, and one man was holding the hyena, and I was told to run fast so that it cannot jump on me. The first time, I was very afraid because the first hyena was very fast, so they took it back because my mother was crying and saying, 'Oh, my kid!' It was a real hyena," said Leonora Jacobs.

When the movie was released in South Africa in 1980, it broke several box office records in the country, becoming the most financially successful film ever produced at the time.

Decades later, the two girls, now grown women, remain humble and grounded, but they continue to struggle.

Fredericks and Jacobs remain active members of their community, and they continue to inspire others with their work.

Jacobs presently works at a filling station in Keetmanshoop, while Fredericks is a caretaker at a kindergarten in Windhoek.