Victory Fest, Namibia’s premier Urban Gospel Music Festival, will return this year with an inspiring mission. Founded by Leopold Vatilifa known as Dee’A and Franklin Shitaleni AKA North Side Robbie, Victory Fest has been a beacon of hope, creativity and unity since its inception in 2018. After a hiatus in 2020 due to the global pandemic, the festival is back and more determined than ever to make a lasting impact.
This year’s event, taking place in Windhoek, is dignified to bring together gospel music lovers, local talent and international acts under the theme ‘Create a Culture Against Gender-Based Violence through Entrepreneurship’.
According to Dee’A, they will be electrifying live performances with Hot Pocket Band as the in-house band, spiritual healing, physical healing, mental healing, unspoken joy “and everything an ordinary human cannot do but God”.
“This festival pursues to promote Namibian live (band) performance as well as foster interest in local music among the general public. The festival seeks to reach out to the Namibian nation through music and entrepreneurship with the hope of changing lives by building a healthy community. Victory Fest this year is to launch a fight against Gender Based-Violence and restore hope as Covid-19 has affected the livelihood of many creatives and entrepreneurs, yet we endured and remained resilient in our desire to express our passion for community. We would like to declare Victory through this platform every year,” he said.
He added that the concert will bring local gospel and contemporary artists in one room to give God the Glory. It brings the best international all-gospel acts to connect with local gospel artists.
“We will provide a platform for worship and spiritual connection, allowing attendees to experience joy, hope and inspiration through music,” he said.
In Namibia, gospel music is widely appreciated and popular. The country has a rich cultural diversity, and gospel music resonates with many Namibians due to the strong influence of Christianity. Gospel concerts often draw large crowds, reflecting the genre’s significance in promoting faith, community ties, and cultural identity. The blend of local languages, rhythms, and contemporary styles also contributes to gospel music’s appeal, making it an integral part of Namibia’s musical landscape.
“This gospel concert will foster a sense of community among participants, uniting people from diverse backgrounds who share a common faith and appreciation for gospel music. Moreover, we will showcase local talent and cultural expressions, integrating traditional music elements with gospel themes, which can resonate deeply within the community,” he concluded.
The concert will be on 8 March at the Echo Centre in Southern Industry. Artists such as Abel Chungu, D-Naff, Maranatha, Promise Jael MK and many more will be performing.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na