By Charles Tjatindi
WINDHOEK
The hard toil and labour of the Oviritje artists during the course of the year were last week rewarded in the form of the Oviritje Music Awards – Namibia.
Various Oviritje performers battled on stage in a bid to scoop an award or two at a gala last Saturday.
Some emerged victorious, while others simply took stock of the event by drawing lessons from it.
Most prominent during the awards was the Okazera music group, which walked away with the grand Artist of the Year Award. The lead singer from the Okazera group, Jennifer Meroro was voted Best Soprano, while the group’s manager, Satie Kandovazu, was voted Best Manager.
The Tuponda music group’s song Erike also stole the show with two awards as both Song of the Year, and Best Juke Box Played Song.
Ovikango walked away with both the Best Music Video award, and the Best Positive Message prize. Kappa from the Tjitjekura Tjeriyama fame took top honours for Best Solo Artist with his first single as a solo artist Party Time.
Muchina Hoveka also got off with two awards for his efforts as Best collaboration and Best cultural Promoter. Once Popular Millennium Group had to settle for one award – that of Best Tenor in their vocalist Kavii Tjiramba.
Conspicuously absent from the awards were popular Oviritje groups Ongoronomundu and the Bullet Concert Group, who never entered for the awards.
Pouua Music Group and Kakazona Kavari went home empty handed.
Other winners in the various categories include:
Best Newcomer – Tsaa (Okazera) – Introduction
Best Spiritual Song – Kasso Band – Ndjambi
Best Music Promoter – Essegiel Chico Tjindjo
Best Stage Performer – Tico Tico Kaete
Best second voice – Ketu
Best Instruments Player – Petersen
Best group – Tjitjekura Tjeriyama
Best Music Studio – Blue Moon Studio
Best dressed artist – Josie Kauandenge