By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK– The City of Windhoek remembered some of the national and international long gone artists at this year’s annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural festival that ended on Saturday.
These are artists who contributed to the music heritage and whose songs still ring a bell on music lovers’ hearts. Some of the artists remembered are Jackson Kaujeva, Kwela, Lucky Dube and Brenda Fassie. At the opening of the festival last Tuesday, different artists were invited to sing the songs composed by those artists. The artists paying such tribute included South African sensational Reggae singer Nkulee Dube, who gave a taste of his father, Lucky Dube’s music. One of the songs she performed that sent some people crying was Remember Me. Nkulee showed some closeness with the audience as she performed dancingly.
Big Ben performed Jackson Kaueja’s songs in most most thrilling moments when he jumped on stage triggering the audience into excitement. Lady May performed Brenda Fassie’s song Weekend Special while Hishishi Papa performed Kwela’s three songs. Tequila, Sunny Boy, Sean Kamati, Essence performed their own old songs. The event continued the next day at Zoo Park Amphitheatre with live performances were Melrose & Hollyhood, Female Donkey, Heroes Band, Reho Rhythms, Ugly Creatures, Ongoro Nomundu, 4X4 Too Much Power, Etondo, Big Ben and Ras Sheeham entertained.
During the festival different cultures gave the public exhibits of their cultural attires at the Cultural Village in Zoo Park. The San, Mbunza, Mafwe, Vamboes and Damara showcased their attires and their way of living.
Cardboard artist, Paul Kiddo, who is renowned for his oil-paintings of farm landscapes, cultures, historical structures and wild animals, was one of the visual artists to touch people’s hearts with his paintings dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.
The event ended on Saturday with massive performances by local artists such as Chakalaz, Chicco D-Bok, Vanity, Slow, M-Jay, Freeda, Tswazis, Berthold, Damara Dik Ding, SwartBaster, Tunakie, Diop, Mr. Makoya, Maszanga, Sally and The Dogg.