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International Musical Breakthrough for Namibia

Home Archived International Musical Breakthrough for Namibia

By Frederick Philander

WINDHOEK

With six recorded songs to his credit for the track of a Hollywood musical film and a very promising screen test for an international movie next year, Namibian singer, dancer and actor, Steven Afrikaner, last week returned to the country from London.

By chance I met up with a relaxed Steven on Wednesday evening at the Katutura Community Arts Centre where he shared his London-creative experiences with Art/Life.

“My two weeks in London at the invitation of Warner Brothers has been the most wonderful artistic and creative experience in my whole career. I was initially contracted – by the way, I was paid up front fifty percent of my fee – prior to leaving for Britain, to do only three songs for the latest version of the musical, ‘The Boyfriend’. I ended up completing six songs for the sound track, because the musical director preferred it that way,” a rather humble Steven said.

‘The Boyfriend’ is still to be shot later this year in London and Los Angeles.

“What is more significant is the fact that I was asked by another film director to do a screen test for another movie to be shot in Hollywood in June next year. If all goes well, I might get a part in that film, depending on the outcome of the screen test next month,” the former Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School learner said.

According to Afrikaner, well known for his singing and dancing on the local entertainment scene in the Ondunga dance troupe, the whole movie sound track contract started during a wrap-up party last year on the international movie, ’10 000 BC’.

“We were part of the cast and crew that held the party at the coast. I did a few of my own songs which, unbeknown to me, were recorded on video.

” The director of the film apparently took a copy along to show to Warner Brothers. The next time I heard from the company, I was invited to London,” he said.

In sharing his creative work relations with the professional artists he had worked with in London, Steven cautioned Namibian artists to be more serious, committed and dedicated to their craft.

“The people I worked with were highly professional and passionate about their work, which they daily eat, sleep and drink – something which unfortunately to a large extent is lacking among our own artists.

I am not saying this to insult local artists. On the contrary, I am trying to encourage people to excel in their different fields, be it music or acting,” said the young artist.

He urged local musicians to study the theory to be able to read music – one of the basic requirements needed for musical success.