The finale of the popular Next Ma/Gaisa Star Search Season 3 will take place tonight at the National Theatre of Namibia.

The show is owned and organised by Welwitschia Music Production, in collaboration with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, NTN, National Arts Council of Namibia and Kaisames Radio.

The eight contestants who will battle it out for the title of the Next Ma/Gaisa Star are Erns ‘Wallace’ Willemse from Swakopmund, Laticia ‘Nadine’ Urikhos (Swakopmund), Eunice ‘Latifa’ //Garoes (Rehoboth), Shantal ‘Koekie Koek Kaisames’ Karongo (Henties Bay), Queenton ‘Fortune’ Somaeb (Karibib), Lesley ‘Katzaofame’ Katzao (Rehoboth), Rodney ‘Scoopy Doo’ !Naibab (Windhoek) and Daniel ‘Ivotitage’ /Oxurub (Okahandja).

Speaking on NBC’s The Daily Roundup with Nina, Andreas Ignatius Aibeb, better-known as Om Bakos, who is a veteran Ma/Gaisa artist and judge of the show, said it was a roller-coaster to reach the top eight.

“It was a challenging journey, and an exciting journey at the same time. 

Videos (entries) were streaming in, and over 50 videos were received of contestants who were interested in becoming the Next Ma/Gaisa Star. We had to work through the nights every month, shooting here at NBC, and the videos were selected. 

Contestants also had to do the challenges that they were given. It was a mammoth task for them to do.”

He said the viewers’ response has been big, especially on social media.  

“Especially Saturday evenings, people were saying they don’t want to miss that programme; it was explosively [sic] watched,” said Aibeb.

Asked what is different about the competition this time around, he said it has evolved over the seasons since starting as an ordinary small competition in 2021 to a professional competition. 

“We were now on our toes so that we could do things better than previous years. We were surprised by the upcoming Ma/Gaisa stars; the video qualities were very good this time around. They listened to advice that we gave them in the previous season. Even the lyrical content that they were writing, how they were writing their songs, how they were composing and arranging, so it is evolving, changing and growing fast.”

On the top eight finalists, he said is an interesting group made up of five males and three females.

“They are all stars; even those who fell out, they are all stars. These ones are very eager, they are willing, they are happy, they are enthusiastic and full of energy, competitive. 

They just want to do this thing and get it done, and become the Next Ma/Gaisa Star.”

Lourencious “Larcos” Nanub won the competition last year, and Mervin “Marvtown” Claassen was the Season 1 winner.

The fans can look forward to an amazing showdown with surprise performances, including some legends.

Doors open at 18h00.

General tickets cost N$250, VIP N$350, and are available from any Pick & Pay shop countrywide or Web tickets online.