For years, I tried to sensitise Namibians through my work on this column, that the creative arts is more than just music. Because that’s been the common perception for years. Let’s call kapana, kapana please. In the land of the brave, music is the only form of creative art mos, kama. Everything else under the umbrella of creative arts is foreign and not ‘Namibian’.

 Let it be known that creative arts are a vast range of human practices of creative expression, storytelling, and cultural participation. Prominent examples of the arts include visual arts (architecture, ceramics, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography, and sculpting), literary arts (fiction, drama, poetry, and prose), and performing arts (dance, music, and theatre). That’s according to Wikipedia.

 But in Namibia, creative arts is just music. Nothing else, and so for years, Namibia has seen political and corporate willpower for the music sector only. From the Music makers in the 90s to most recently, NAMAs (Namibia Annual Music Awards), that’s where all the money and attention would go. This was always extremely puzzling for me because the music sector does not and cannot exist in isolation. Music needs other forms of art and media to thrive.

 So how then do we only award musicians and not the factors that make musicians tick and successful? Well, I’m glad that my yelling was not in vain. Here we are…in 2024 with three national awards ceremonies ready to award other forms of creative arts.

 The DStv Namibia Content Creator Awards, The Simply You Magazine Fashion and Lifestyle Awards and the Savanna Annual Namibian Comedy Awards. These awards will focus on content creators, designers, models, radio presenters, TV presenters, comedians…etc. All of whom make the music sector tick. The hardcore truth is this…the music sector would be dead without the influence of the rest of the disciplines within the umbrella of the creative arts.

 Every other week I see calls for the return of the NAMAs. Whenever I see these comments…I cannot help but think of how musicians at some point became so entitled and downright unpleasant with these awards. Year in, year out…complaints against the NAMAs became stronger and louder. Year in and year out…musicians in major numbers would accuse the organisation of all sorts of things.

 Its principal sponsor at the time, MTC, continuously needed to work overtime to clear this allegation vs that allegation. Without knowing the insights, I’m sure…everyone involved with the NAMAs probably just got sick and tired of the attitude and entitlement of Namibian musicians.

 Fast forward, again…here we are, in 2024 with three national awards ceremonies ready to award other forms of creative arts with the help of two major corporate brands in DStv and Savannah. Unless the music sector creates its own perfect awards where seemingly everyone would be happy…as an analyst, I can tell you now that after what the rest of corporate Namibia witnessed with the Namibian Annual Music Awards, I simply do not see any sane corporate making a conscious decision to associate themselves with the music sector. Much less a whole awards ceremony. So yes, Namibia…the creative arts is more than just music and I am happy that corporate Namibia finally understands this and is willing to put money behind something apart from just the music sector.

 Don’t get me wrong…I love music. I love Namibian music. But for far too long, Namibian music hogged the spotlight and made it seem like music is the only form of the creative arts. And they did so successfully because in Namibia…say it with me, boys and girls, music is the only form of creative arts.

  But truth be told? That mentality DOES speak to the nature of musicians in general. Musicians are selfish by nature. So, I get it, But it’s time for the rest of the disciplines in the creative arts to shine.

 Awards season…LET’S GET IT!!!

 Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM

 Need an MC? I’m your guy. Hit me up…naobebsekind@gmail.com