Namibia: 2023, the Yr That Was in Namibia

This yr was … so much. It had its ups and downs, however in true Namibian trend, total enjoyable was had. From worldwide acts touching down in Namibia, to residents having a collective meltdown over native music lyrics, there’s a lot that may be mentioned about 2023.

Under we have achieved the perfect we will to summarise the roller-coaster yr, highlighting some stand out moments in no explicit order.

CREATIVES SHINE ABROAD

To begin, this was an excellent yr for Namibian personalities and creatives exterior the nation’s borders.

‘Underneath The Hanging Tree’, Perivi Katjavivi’s movie starring Girley Jazama made historical past as the primary native movie to be shortlisted for an Oscar nomination. The movie offers with themes associated to the Nama/Herero genocide, with Jazama enjoying the function of a police detective investigating a wierd farm demise.

The musicians have been having an excellent yr too. Waters walked away with two trophies from the Eminent Video Music Awards held in Johannesburg, South Africa. He scooped the Greatest Cinematography Video and the Greatest Worldwide Video awards.

Azmo Nawe, the younger amapiano vocalist behind Musketeer’s music ‘Danko’, carried out the hit in Johannesburg nightclubs firstly of the yr.

Gazza made his return to the USA years after his hit ‘Wambo To New York’, got here out with a collaborative efficiency with the Alabama College of High quality Arts orchestra.

Sean Kamati, who has been dwelling overseas for just a few years, made the nation proud along with his stint on ‘X Issue Malta’. His unforgettable voice and allure took him far and helped deliver consideration to his burgeoning profession.

Whereas Gina Jeanz continues to interrupt boundaries and open doorways for Namibian artists, not simply in Africa however internationally, this yr she performed units in Albania, Morocco, Germany, China, Ibiza, Switzerland (the place she is predicated) and Kosovo, and was featured by Spotify Africa.

Efficiency artist, poet and musician Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja was one in every of three stay entertainers to take to the streets of Switzerland for a music and artwork manufacturing.

He was joined by visible artist’s Hage Mukwendje and Nambowa Malua who complemented the sounds with stay portray.

Extra of Namibian visible artwork was celebrated this yr on the Fotogalerie Friedrichshain in Berlin, with the debut of a Namibian collective picture exhibition in Berlin.

The theme of the gathering, which first debuted in Windhoek final yr, was ‘House Of Mine’, by way of which individuals expressed what felt like dwelling to them.

Then there’s actress and media persona Prisca Anyolo’s enterprise into entrepreneurship, with the launch of her personal model, Prisca Magnificence in Dubai. The younger expertise lately relocated to the Arab metropolis.

Tv sensible, Luis Munana knocked the ball out of the park along with his look on the Netflix actuality present ‘Younger, Well-known and African’. It was tense watching him at occasions, as a result of it felt like he had a goal on his again, however he managed to defend himself gracefully, by no means lose his cool and are available out on high. By way of this he gained main worldwide consideration and secured his place in lots of hearts.

Actress and entrepreneur Tjuna Kauapirura made waves when she wrapped the manufacturing of her extremely anticipated sci-fi movie by which she’s going to star alongside massive names like Eric Roberts, Thapelo Mokoena and others from throughout the continent.

There’s additionally Rémy Ngamije, the Doek! Lit curator and writer of ‘The Everlasting Viewers Of One’. This yr he received the Morland African Writing Scholarship, a grant of US$18 000 (greater than N$334 000) awarded to 4 African writers to permit them to take a yr off to finish a e-book. Ngamije celebrated this feat and sees it as an important alternative to discover his ardour.

SUPPORTING OUR OWN

Lastly, we can’t look previous the fantastic achievements of our pageant queens and the work they’ve achieved overseas to share the fantastic thing about Namibia with the world.

Jameela Uiras at Miss Universe and Martha Kautanevali at Miss Earth by no means let the crown slip, and the help from Namibians, particularly for Uiras, was unprecedented.

On the planet of affection, wedding ceremony bells proceed to ring. Producer DJ Kboz introduced his engagement this yr, and I do know I am not the one one making an attempt to sneak an invitation to cut this wedding ceremony.

Lengthy-time media darling, actress, director and entrepreneur Maria Nepembe tied the knot in a brilliant low-key, non-public ceremony in Windhoek. She shocked in a stunning robe by Ruberto Scholtz, whereas holding all the main particulars beneath wraps.

In fact, there isn’t any celebrations and not using a few brawls right here and there.

South African rapper Nadia Nakai trended for all of the unsuitable causes fairly lately, for allegedly making off with a wig lent to her by a Namibian vendor.

Vogue Wins Hair Assortment proprietor Senia Shipo took to social media this month to bash the artist who got here to Namibia for a efficiency and wanted final minute help from the hairstylist.

She demanded N$6 500, the price of the “stolen” wig and the 2 went backwards and forwards on X and Instagram, insulting one another. The cash was ultimately paid, however relations seem to stay bitter.

In different beef information, Gazza appeared to have struck a nerve with Exit simply final week, when he seemingly threw shade on the artist, sparking a sequence of insults aimed on the ‘Chelete’ singer.

After Exit failed to drag a crowd for his lately held stay present, Gazza thought it will be the best time to remind followers of his personal efficiently held live performance ‘Gazza Milli’.

Exit insulted him and known as him outdated.

HONOURARY MENTIONS

Some issues that occurred that deserve an honourary point out are: the Topa Laat Ons Gaan woman discovering a brand new avenue in life after being let go for being younger and carefree; Namibians policing Ms G’s music and her transition from a gospel music to a extra provocative one; Eagle FM chief government John Walenga firing a presenter by tweeting them; the rise of Chula Chula; all of the bumbling individuals of the brand new ‘Swift 30’ sport present; Multichoice premiering 13 Namibian movies; “rapper” GetRich difficult Davido and 50 Cent to a boxing match and Michael Amushelelo pleading with the general public to discover a romantic getaway for him and his spouse, after which instantly getting in bother with the legislation once more.

To finish, let’s contact on two deaths that have been laborious to abdomen.

Firstly, South African rapper and musician AKA was gunned down in Durban in (April), whereas standing in a public space with folks round him. He was a favorite for a lot of Namibians and had steadily carried out in Windhoek, to not point out his fashionable remix of the native hit ‘Soek Soek’ by Slaughterhouze.

A serious loss for the music trade was that of Araffath Muhuure. The longtime producer and trade pioneer breathed his final breath in March, after a decades-long profession and changing into a mainstay in native leisure.

– Anne Hambuda is a author, social commentator and poet. Observe her on-line or e mail her annehambuda@gmail.com for extra.