DJ Leni: Spinning Purpose, Power, and Ubuntu Groove

(Images Contributed: Dj Leni)

In a story that began with a borrowed aux cord and a borrowed belief, University of Namibia (UNAM) student Elly Mtaleni Nangolo, well known by the name DJ Leni is now making waves across campus and beyond, blending academic ambition with musical mastery in a journey that’s as inspiring.

DJ Leni, a Sociology and Anthropology student, never imagined herself behind the decks. “I was never that kid who said, ‘I want to be a DJ,’” she told Campus Connect. “But music has always been my heartbeat.” Known among friends for her masterful knowledge of lyrics and moods, she was often the go-to curator at social gatherings. It wasn’t until university that her talent was nudged into the spotlight.

Encouraged by peers who admired her taste, Leni downloaded Virtual DJ and FruityLoops (FL) Studio on her first laptop. What started as a casual experiment quickly turned into a calling. Her first gig came unexpectedly, a friend’s DJ canceled, and Leni was asked to step in. “I was terrified,” she said. “But that night changed everything.” Since then, DJ Leni has grown from a self-taught newcomer to a recognized name in Windhoek’s student nightlife. She’s performed at multiple campus events, built a loyal following, and even started crafting gig guides to keep up with demand.

“Seeing my name on posters and hearing people shout ‘DJ Leni!’ when I walk into a venue, that’s my proudest moment,” she said. But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Without her own equipment, Leni spent weekends practicing at clubs that offered her space unpaid, unsupported, but invaluable. “I’d save taxi fare just to get there and back,” she recalled.

“It was tough, but passion kept me going.” Balancing academics and gigs has required discipline. “Sometimes I’d DJ till 3 a.m. and still show up for class at 8,” she said. “But I came to Windhoek to become an educated Black woman who can hold her own in any room. That keeps me focused.” Her studies have also deepened her understanding of music’s impact.

“In the club, I see human behavior in real time. It’s like participant observation, people dancing, connecting, expressing. It’s sociology in motion.” Leni credits UNAM’s student community for much of her growth. “Being a female DJ already stands out, and my fellow students have shown me so much love,” she said. “It’s about representation showing young women we can take up space in unexpected places.”

Looking ahead, DJ Leni is building a movement called Ubuntu Grooves, inspired by the African philosophy “I am because we are.” Her sets fuse drums, chants, and poetry to revive pride in African identity. “I want people to feel proud to be African again,” she said. “To remember their roots through sound.”

Her dreams include global collaborations, cultural tours, and community upliftment which include building an orphanage and mentoring youth. “My journey is bigger than just DJ Leni,” she said. “It’s about Ubuntu, when one of us rises, we all rise.” As she continues to spin beats and break barriers, DJ Leni remains a symbol of what happens when talent meets persistence and when a student dares to turn up the volume on her dreams.