Julina Kaakunga
The KORA All Africa Music Awards are back with 40 nominees for each of their 17 categories.
Eight Namibians were nominated and while Namibian creatives appreciate the recognition, some are conflicted about the awards.
One of the creatives, Luis Munana who has been nominated for Best Influencer from the African Continent, stated that the awards have a bitter-sweet experience.
“I feel a bit conflicted because, on one hand, it’s an honour to be nominated because there are so many influencers in Africa and Namibia but they chose me, so that’s an honour on its own, that means you’re being recognised outside Namibia on a big platform. It’s nice to be recognised, especially when you put in the work,” Munana said.”
On 20 March 2016, the KORA awards were to be held in Namibia but were cancelled. This was after the Namibian government paid over N$23 million to the founder of KORA awards Ernest Adjovi, who insisted the amount be paid into his Ivory Coast bank account but the event never materialised.
As it stands, it is not clear whether the money was paid back, and to this, Munana said: “I don’t know now, do I accept the nomination? Do I reject it in solidarity with my country? do I protest the awards? So, these are all the questions I have in my mind,” he expressed.
Khadijah Mouton, was nominated for Best Female Artist- African Urban Music.
She expressed her gratitude, saying the nomination was completely unexpected, and she looks forward to more opportunities that will come along.
Regarding the KORA, Mouton said she didn’t know much about the missing KORA money. “It’s unfortunate that it happened. I can only hope that this time around the appropriate measures are taken to make this a reputable platform,” she said.
Prominent Kwaito artist Gazza was nominated for Best Collaboration of the Year and remains to have a positive outlook on the matter.
“If there is something unlawful, the public knows about it, the system knows about it, let a plumber be a plumber, let them deal with it. What I’m focusing on is the positive thing, the fact that my music is recognised,” he told VIBEZ!.
“KORA is more credible than all these little awards that we see popping up now, here and there some of them are even just internet and social media based, KORA is a physical thing that has been there for years, so for me that credibility is what I want to have in my cabinet.”
Nominated for Best Male Artist- African Urban Music was Waters who said the incident was unfortunate, especially with the legal complications surrounding it.
“The fact that Namibian taxpayers were swindled is disheartening, and it’s challenging to discuss legal aspects when there’s no clear legal outcome. Despite the conflict, I remain grateful for the nomination. The KORA awards, prior to the scandal, held a reputable status, and while I am conflicted, I appreciate the recognition, acknowledging that they didn’t have to choose me amid the complexities surrounding the event.”
The nominations have not reached the final cut yet, and they still need to be voted in order to move on to the next round. Other African artists that were nominated include K.O, Rema, Davido, Nasty C, Diamond Platinumz, Libianca and Yemi Alade amongst many others. -julinak990@gmail.com