Windhoek
A promising affair for both viewers and music buffs across the country and beyond is how this year’s Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), only hours away, is being billed not as a matter of expectation but because this what the organisers have planned for.
The rehearsals are a stunning pointer of this promise that the night won’t be short on talents, local ones, and not to mention the confirmed pan African performers, South African Hip hop sensation AKA and Zambian singer Roberto. Tonight’s ceremony might not for everyone but for invited guests. However, few will miss out on this glamorous blue-carpeted evening of big winners and memorable performances of 32 in total as it is live on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
While tonight might be a setback night in front of your screens, music enthusiasts have the opportunity to attend the award and witness or sit next to the stars themselves at Ramatex tomorrow when El Shadai Aluteni and Paul Munanjala are taking you on the blue carpet whilst Luis Munana and Lucy K Kangombe will tip you on Saturday. There will be multiple cameras from Southern African countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia as well as from Uganda with trace TV and sound city stationed at the ceremony so viewers follow every fashion move and look. I
Tomorrow’s show started gaining momentum when organisers announced that not only will the pan African stars share the stage with our artists but old time favourite kwaito group, Matongo Family, are reunited on stage tomorrow evening. Leading the main show as main hosts are Tanyaradzwa Daringo and Mathew ‘Mapps” Kapofi. There are a total of 35 performances of which more than half will perform with a live band with 19 categories to be awarded. Tomorrow morning sees the NAMA Academy continuing with an artists’ workshop at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) themed “going Pan-African and Global with music.”
Almost all the nominated artist from Kalux, Big Ben, Ann Singer, Bertholdt,Chikune, KK, Desmond, The Dogg,Paradox, Ras sheehama, Freeda, Jazz Masters, Lize Ehlers, just to mention few, will be entertaining you. The artists have been rehearsing with an in-house band to assure perfection. After a successful public audition, 25 dancers were selected who are staging with all performers. While many artists are undoubtedly battling a case of nerves right now, some award goers, dancers and presenters share their excitement on the award shows. “It’s going to be the third year being part of the NAMAs as a dancer. It improves my dancing skills dancing with different choreographers. As equipped Dance Academy we [are] about working hard and making sure we are part of this greater success each year, its overwhelming and I’m more than excited,” says Hilary Shiimi, one of the NAMAs dancers.
“This is my first time attending the NAMAs and I look forward to seeing my favourite artists perform and also the legends taking part in the ceremony. I look forward to our celebrity’s attires and get to meet some of them in person since I only see them on TV,” says music fan, Maggy Kakoro.
“Always keep your hair and makeup routine as simple as possible. Show off a little skin in the classiest way possible. It will be tops if your choice of colour compliments you and highlight your femininity with a V-neck dress. [It will have you turning heads, it works all the time,” advises Melisa Poulton, a fashion designer. “Perfect make up base will make you look naturally flawless. Try not to apply too make-up but at the same time apply it decently. Lip, purple, pink and maroon lips always stand out, so don’t forget those Mac lipsticks and make sure you glow up the venue,” says Maya Mbari, a makeup artists and stylist.