By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
The ill-treatment of Namibian artists by art promoters and festival organizers was last week likened and compared to that of animals during a press conference by the Oruuano Artists Union.
The union did not spare any of the primary arts disciplines that ostensibly make up the ever-evolving Namibian entertainment industry.
“The unfair manner and the way in which Namibian artists are treated is a big concern for the union, especially artists from rural areas being treated like animals, sometimes even transported in open trucks to perform. Artists are at times accommodated in unhygienic places and have to perform in the blazing sun to entertain dignitaries or participate in national cultural festivals,” said the union’s secretary-general, Vincent Mwemba, at a news conference in the capital.
Mwemba also did not conceal his union’s anger and concern about the multiple problems the Namibian film industry is facing with regard to employment of locals.
“The union would like to see that all foreign film companies shooting in Namibia be compelled by law to employ more local actors and technicians in the more important disciplines of film-making in which Namibians presently lack the necessary skills,” Mwemba said.
He also urged the Namibian Film Commission to share film-making information with Namibians more regularly and in a formal and tangible manner instead of them hearing it from other sources.
“Such film companies in many cases deprive Namibians of employment opportunities due to the absence of formal contracts or agreements. The union is of the opinion that actors and other film-workers make sure they understand such contracts before signing them. This sometimes leads to misunderstandings between the Namibian artists and the film companies,” he claimed.
According to the secretary-general, his union does not approve or support the current labour-hiring system that is in place.
“The ideal situation to the union would be for foreign companies to deposit all their budgetary monies in local banks for direct payment to local artists participating in such films. Thus, film companies should show proof of funding so as to give guarantees to Namibian artists. We also suggested that such companies be levied,” said Mwemba, who announced that his union is in the process of formulating a Namibian Artists Protection Bill.
He further cited instances of artists being exploited to the maximum by so-called ‘big’ artists in the industry.
“In a number of instances, exploitation has taken place whereby artists have not been paid for their creative services by such ‘big’ artists. In some cases the union had to act as a go-between with such parties – something that is not acceptable to us.
Some promoters have given artists cheques that have been cancelled before they could change them. This needs to be stopped. Namibian artists experiencing such incidents must not hesitate to report them to our union for us to bring such exploiters to justice,” the union man threatened.
With regard to the promotion of Namibian music, Mwemba urged the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation to change its policies.
“To avoid one artist winning every year in the NBC/Sanlam Music Awards, the national broadcaster has to change its policy in giving more prominence and preferential treatment to selected artists with friends working at the corporation. Some are seen more regularly on television than others, an unfair advantage compared to others,” he concluded.