|
They streamed to the Sam Nujoma
stadium in droves. They
danced, watched and sang along
as Namibian local artists displayed their
musical talents in a show that would appetize
the nation for the great Sanlam/
NBC musical awards.
 It all happened on
the 3rd of November 2006 at the Sam
Nujoma stadium in front of more than
two thousand five hundred enthusiastic
spectators.
The hi-tech stage and PA sound system
that powered the show were the
most striking and unique explanation
of how Namibian music has come of
age. This well ordered, superbly managed
and highly entertaining show gave
reason as to why the formerly dominant
South African music or exotic music in
Namibia has dwindled, thanks to Sanlam,
NBC and other sponsors for having
faith to Namibian local artists.
The visibly amused Bob Kandetu; Director
General of the Namibia Broadcasting
Corporation (nbc) who was
among the audience informally expressed
his appreciation to the commitment
of local artists in making the show
a success. He also recognized the input
of all other stakeholders in the concept
and praised those that worked on the
logistics of the event.
One of Namibian music enthusiasts,
Maria Amuthenu had this to say about
the show and Namibian music in general:
“I think our local musicians are
good. I think they are improving day by
day. The competition in music is getting
tough though and I feel that the Dogg
has stood tops of them all. I say so because
every new album he produces
has something new and a dramatic improvement.
Thanks to Sanlam and NBC
for organizing the musical awards and
I hope the Dogg does it again because I
think that he deserves it”.
Amuthenu is pursuing a Bachelors
Degree in Accounting at the University
of Namibia.
The ecstatic Sanlam Senior Manager
for Corporate Affairs Mr Evans Simataa
thanked the audience for turning up in
unprecedented record numbers. “The
spectators were more than we expected
and they kept the whole show warm
and live”, he intoned.
About two thousand spectators were officially recorded as part of the audience
but more than four thousand turned up
and became partisan dancers, chanters
and singers and beautifully decorated
the entir e show.
The show was held for nomination
purposes. Its main objective was to
unveil the names and songs listed for
various awards in different categories.
The task of the audience was to then
nominate their favorite artists and text
these names for final selections. Top
artists such Gazza, Ras Sheema, The
Dogg, Steve Hanana, Kauandende etc
were among hot contenders for various
awards in various categories.
When Ras Sheehama was asked how
he felt about the awards, he had this to
say; “I am glad that Sanlam and nbc are
giving the artists a platform that is sure
to uplift their art. I urge them to keep
up the good work”.
On how he felt about the category he
was nominated for, Sheehama responded;
“well, people vote for what they see.
It is possible they will vote overwhelmingly
for Kwaito music because that is
what is regularly played on television
and radio. People vote for what they
hear and what they are always exposed
to. As for my category, I have nothing
to fear”.
The African Magazine however questions
the validity of some reggae tracks
that are nominated for this category.
Honestly, if voting for a particular genre
of music would go by strict rules, then
one would say Sheehama’s track and
perhaps Hanana’s are the only authentic
reggae tracks contending for an award
in this category.
|
