Some youngsters who frequent the Rundu Youth Academy of Arts (RYAA) say the place keeps them busy and helps them stay out of trouble.

With the schools having just opened, the Rundu Youth Academy of Arts is rehearsing for a creative piece meant for learners, and the theme is bullying.

29-year-old Sakaria Shipingana was a professional dancer for OYO, but he left the group six years ago to start RYAA.

"When I was in OYO, we toured around, and later on, people were saying a lot of things about Kavango youth, saying we are lazy.  Those things did not make my heart rest. I thought about what I could do to make it up to these people so they could not call us those names."

Today, RYAA is raising awareness through artistic expression, not only about bullying but also about other issues affecting local youth, such as alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, and violent crimes.

"If these problems are not tackled, the future will be dark for the young ones and the next generation. If parents don't stand together and start supporting groups like this one that are trying to do something good in society, then we cannot expect a better future for our children."

RYAA has about 50 members, but most of the youngsters are finding it difficult to rehearse every day.

The majority stay as far as Sunset, Sauyemwa, and Kaisosi.

For now, the group either meets at the multipurpose youth centre or at a location allocated by the Ministry of Gender in Rundu.