Fist bumps Inna Hengari
For years, I have always maintained there is zero political willpower when it comes to the conversation around the lack of Namibian content on Namibian TV and Radio.
The evidence is on the wall that this subject was never of any importance for the political establishment on both sides of the aisle. Whenever people like me brought this subject up…it will always be: “There are more important issues NSK”.
So here we are as a country with zero identity.
Thirty-four years into our existence and our children are addicted to K-Pop. Thirty-four years into our existence and every single slang word we have is connected to South Africa. Thirty-four years into our existence and our youth sings every Piano song word for word…you’d think that Zulu, Xhosa and all the South African languages are Namibian. Thirty-four years into our existence and we know more about Trevor Noah than Slick the Dick. Thirty-four years into our existence we know more about Mpumi Ledwaba than Taimi Nuunyango.
Thirty-four years into our existence and we know more about Julius Malema than McHenry Venaani. Thirty-four years into our existence and we have Namibians wearing Manchester United and Sundowns jerseys to a Brave Warriors game. As a matter of fact, Namibians know more about Manchester United and Sundowns than Blue Waters and Ongos FC. Thirty-four years into our existence and you have Namibians supporting Die
Springbokke and the All Blacks more than the Welwitschias.
We are f*cked, we have zero identity. We have zero national pride. Namibia is a joke to Namibians in all spheres of life. Why do you think this is? This is because there was zero political willpower from the get-go to consciously carve out a national identity and foster pride. How do you do this?
With the power of ARTS! Arts is the most effective tool to foster national identity and pride. There are worldwide examples of this. Hollywood, Nollywood, Bollywood, K-pop, Kizomba. The list is ENDLESS.
How in the world did the political establishment miss this on both sides of the aisle for 34 years? It took us 34 years for an opposition MP in the name of Inna Hengari to say…eintlik guys, we are in danger here. We need to increase our Namibian content footprint across all platforms.
Inna Hengari wants the parliamentary house to discuss her motion and refer it to a relevant parliamentary standing committee. Do you know what the sad part is? The motion will most likely not get the support. Why? Because “there are more important issues” mos. This country’s lack of identity can be linked to so much social unrest…but we are too ignorant to see it. It will probably take us another 34 years to realise that we are lost as a Namibian society. Hazel Hinda unpacked this extensively in the latest edition of #IndustryLoop the podcast. It’s up on the New Era YouTube channel. Have a watch. But hey…thank you Ousi Inna. You are on the right side of history.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Need an MC? I’m YOUR guy. Hit me up…naobebsekind@gmail.com