WINDHOEK– Prize money for Best Male/Female Artist of the Year in the Annual Namibia Music Awards (NAMAS) have now been increased from N$50,000 to N$100,000.
Two new categories have also been created namely the ‘Best Music Event’ and ‘Best Song with a message’. With the category Best Single Non Album changing to Best Single. Entries for the fifth NAMAS are now open and artists are encouraged to submit their work, which was crafted and commercially released between December 1, 2013 and November 12, 2014. Entries opened on Wednesday for the award ceremony that has been tentatively scheduled for May 1 and 2 next year.
NAMAS Executive Committee member, Tim Ekandjo, says artists can immediately start entering themselves, either electronically or manually. “The Best Music Event “ is hundred percent publicly voted and the public can choose its best event of the year, whether it’s the Hart van Windhoek, Jazz Festival, NAMAS, any entertainment event while in the “Best Song with a Message” category, artists are required to submit songs with powerful and inspiring lyrics, artists are also required to submit lyrics of the song so that the judges can see,” Ekandjo informs.
Artist can enter online at www.nama.com.na or can submit their completed entry forms at either the MTC Head Office or the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation ( NBC)’s Head Office. Entry forms are also available at the headquarters of both institutions. Ekandjo urges artirts to read the rules. “Its important for artist to read the rules to avoid makiing mistakes and to make sure entries are correct,”he emphasises. A range of changes were announced including the possible venues with Windhoek ruled out as a possible host venue. There is also an emphasis on quality and making sure that the event systematically continue to raise the standard of music and the event itself. Deadline for entries is December 15.
By Selma Neshiko