Pricilla Mukokobi
Paheja Siririka
With a pioneer of blended reggae, Afro-fusion, and traditional Namibian sounds, veteran musician Hans Sheehama, popularly known as Ras Sheehama, has engraved his name not only in the country’s music books but also in the nation’s heart.
The legendary musician, who died on Friday at the age of 59, was born in Onakayale village, Ombalantu, Omusati region. His untimely death has left a profound void in Namibia’s music fraternity and among fans worldwide, who cherished his conscious lyrics and timeless melodies.
Popularly known for his hit songs Cassinga, Inotila, and City Young Girl, Sheehama was widely regarded as Namibia’s reggae king, who built a reputation as an artist whose music transcended borders and generations.
Music veteran
His journey into exile began at the tender age of 12 in 1979, which shaped much of his worldview and musical voice.
Alongside a group of young boys from his village, Ras Sheehama crossed the northern Namibian border into Angola to join the liberation movement, Swapo, in exile, first in Lubango and later in Cuanza Sul.
It was there that he met fellow Namibian music icon Jackson Kaujeua, who had just returned from overseas and often performed at social gatherings in the refugee camps.
This encounter would later inspire Ras Sheehama’s pursuit of music as a tool for liberation, unity, and cultural pride.
Over the years, Ras Sheehama recorded numerous albums that addressed themes of freedom, love, justice, and identity. His songs earned him a loyal following both locally and internationally, with performances that took him to Europe, the United States of America, and beyond.
Namibia mourns
Tributes have been pouring in from fellow artists, fans, and cultural leaders, hailing him as a musical baobab whose roots will forever remain in the Namibian soil.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ras Sheehama was more than a reggae artist as he was a voice of hope, resistance, and unity, which inspired generations before and after independence. “Through his music, he embodied the spirit of freedom and reminded us of art’s power to heal, challenge, and uplift. His departure is a profound loss for the creative industry and the nation as a whole,” said the head of state.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that in the darkest moments, Ras Sheehama was the light that guided many of them.
“His passing serves as a sobering reminder of the silent battles many continue to face. The tragic circumstances of his death highlight the urgent need for our nation to strengthen our capacity to address the rising cases of suicide and to foster a society where no one suffers in silence,” she highlighted.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani added that Namibia is in tears and deeply heartbroken for this significant loss of a talent.
“Indeed, (this is) unfortunate news for our country. We deeply commiserate with the Sheehama family on the untimely demise of our nation’s legendary reggae star Ras. His mellifluous voice entertained us for decades. Nangalapo nawa katekulu ka Kuume. Son of our Soil, rest easy,” the lawmaker posted on social media.
The musician is survived by his wife, Saskia, and children.
“Immensely sad and in shock that you could not feel free, there was no other way. I wish I were there with you in your final moment of despair, but I will somehow have to accept and live with the choice that you made,” said Saskia in a post.
She is currently in the Netherlands with the family, and that’s where the news of his death reached her. She has chosen to stay there for now to deal with the pain.
The couple had known each other for 17 years before they officially started dating in 2007. They married in 2013.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said the tragic passing of his dear brother and Comrade is immensely painful.
“I join Her Excellency, the President, to convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and nation. Undoubtedly, Ras Sheehama, was one of the exceptional trendsetters of Namibia’s creative industry. May his legacy of hard work, natural talent and musical ingenuity live on to the present and future generations,” said the premiere.
Musician Berthold Mbinda said: “You meant so much to me, your teachings and mentorship, I shall forever treasure. You are never forgotten, loved one, nor will you ever be; if life and memory last, we will remember you always. RIP to a true Namibian pioneer.”
Legacy
Ras Sheehama is dubbed the Pioneer of the Namibian music industry and an outstanding afro-reggae singer/songwriter. With more than three decades in the music industry and creative space, Ras Sheehama has released more than 15 albums in his career, starting from the years of the liberation struggle.
Other popular tunes are Push and Pull, and Travelling and As We Step Up, that are heard at local spots and recreational areas around the country.
In 1996, his song Inotila won Best Song at the Namibian Music Awards and led to a performance at the music festival Le Printemps de Bourges in France. In May 1999, Ras Sheehama celebrated his first show in Germany at the Africa Festival in Würzburg, together with Lucky Dube’s band, The Slaves.
He has also performed in the UK, Cuba, Portugal, and Switzerland. In 2001, he opened a show for Jamaican legend Don Carlos in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ras Sheehama’s impact on Namibian music is nothing short of legendary. Alongside iconic artists like the late Kaujeua, he carried the torch of Namibian sound onto the global stage, blending soulful rhythms with a distinctive reggae flair deeply grounded in the country’s lived experiences.