Augustinus Ngombe

Having been a lover of music not just as an audience member but as a participant too, there is no doubt this year is an awakening year for music. 

There have been more events this year than any other year. The audience have not only also grown fond of music, but have learned to appreciate the details and dynamic of music. 

We could as well observe the effort ministers, musicians or artists, if you like, are putting in. However, contrary views and actions from those who could have been the vehicle of the music industry are questionable. 

Performing art is an industry, no doubt, has the power to make the creatives not only live from it but have a decent life. The main challenge we experience in a country such as Namibia is 1. 

We do not pay closer attention to the fibres that hold music together. Music is a cultural element; thus, an atmosphere must be created to enable it to thrive. 2. Secondly, music is a scientific skill that has procedures on how to best deliver it. 

With this, the level of appreciation society has for music determines how big it becomes. My observation, however, is that we desire to consume music and good ones at no expense. This is draining to the creatives, ranging from the producers, organisers and artists, ministers or musicians.  

My last challenge is our desire to grow music without establishing effective systems. There is one thing that I have seen thus far; any country that does not encourage live performances deprives itself of benefiting from matured creativity. At the moment, as I am writing this article, South Africa and Nigeria are trending, and have made strides on the global stages. But the difference between them and Namibia is the fact that active musical sources like bands and choirs are well-embraced.

Without sounding subjective and religious, the abovementioned countries have choral music, gospel music (in this context I am not talking about it as a genre but source), which are thriving. In terms of support, circular and gospel music are treated with bias, and this poses a challenge to the growth and development of music. 

Let us look at it in this scenario of water. We would say, “A water catchment or reservoir must always stay connected to the source”. For instance, no matter how full a dam is, it should not be isolated from a river, nor the channels be blocked. 

At most, music evolved when choirs were empowered. Namibia is not an exception to this. In spite of the small progress we have made thus far, thank God to church choirs that have groomed what we are celebrating now.

 Look within the best musicians (instrument players) we have to date, where did they evolve from? Best artists would tell you both from circular and gospel the same that, there is a role that church played in raising great musicians. 

We can even go further in sound engineering and technicalities. You will still find those who were groomed by the church in charge. This is evident that our neglect of this important stakeholder poses a threat to the thriving of our industry. 

The concern, however, is in the imbalanced support music faces, at least from this end. Corporates have concerns that they can’t support gospel music because we are a secular state. 

The argument here is not the genre, but the art and talents that ought to be nurtured, embraced and supported equally. 

In the same way, the ones from the secular would come not in monotonous but various genres like kwaito, RnB, Afropop, contemporary, dance hall, etc, over celebrate them to be progressive to do such and a great talent to possess. Such are booked for corporate performances, and get all the support from the government to the corporates. 

The opposite is also true.  

It seems to be a punishment to be a gifted musician or artist with the route of gospel, and they are given all the excuses you can think of when seeking support or sponsorship. One of the greatest excuses we have is that this is a secular state; therefore, they do not support gospel. 

Sadly, even the government agencies would behave in the same manner. If equality is what we strive to achieve, then how can it be right to treat one part of the population this way? Especially knowing that the two are not different in terms of gift but complementary. There is another claim which is that gospel artists do not package themselves well to appeal to the corporate. 

But the challenge is, what will motivate you to package yourself if you know that there is an automatic no? I do not want to turn into an advocate for gospel artists but I have seen a lot. Recently, I have fervently followed the following gospel artists: Ndenda, who did a tour around the country; Adoration HC just recorded a Live DVD recording, Manda Gabriel through Heal Our Land, D-Naff, Pride, Maranatha, DeeA, Vuuyo, to mention just a few, who are doing well in being persistent in their own capacity. We thank God for Tim Ekandjo, who is trying his best through the Never Walk Alone project, to pull from all the streams equally. 

Going forward, we should perhaps use his model to revive the entire music industry, and help it create the right and effective standard. I have no doubt that it might contribute to the reduction of the unemployment rate. But it will not happen if we do it in silos.  Live performances should be our stepping stone. The rest, if we do it well, and systematically (including the entrepreneurial elements that have been missing), we shall thrive. 

This potential untapped needs to be unleashed, and job- creation can be increased in this area. We can give a chance to this sleeping giant. 

At the end of the day, Corporate Social Responsibility is for the communities the businesses are serving, and if part of our good customers are artists, why not invest in them? If people yearn for good music, why deny them a chance if they are the important stakeholders in profit-making? Doing this would help form an ecosystem that will be beneficial to music, artists, a record label (entrepreneurs), organisers, sound tech businesses, venue rentals, etc.

* Augustinus ‘Mr Mind’ Ngombe is an author, educator, public speaker, columnist. He can be contacted at Augustino.ngombe@gmail.com