Victory Fest returns with a powerful message, headlined by Zambia’s Abel Chungu

Michael Kayunde
The sixth edition of Victory Fest, Namibia’s premier Urban Gospel Music Festival, is set to take place on Saturday, 8 March, at Echo Center. Organized by Efdee Music Productions, the festival is the brainchild of Leopold Vatilifa, known as Dee’A, and Franklin Shitaleni, known as North Side Rabbi. Since its inception in 2018, the event has sought to provide clean entertainment, uplift local creatives, and promote Namibian music.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Victory Fest makes its return with a theme that speaks directly to social change: ‘Create a Culture Against Gender-Based Violence through Entrepreneurship.’ Speaking to Namibian Sun, Dee’A emphasized the festival’s renewed focus on community impact.

“This year, for the first time, and in alignment with our theme, we will host a workshop for creatives to discuss topics such as mental wellness, running a creative business, songwriting, and more,” he said.

The 2025 lineup boasts an impressive roster, with Zambian gospel star Abel Chungu headlining the event. Other performers include Clive & The Now Generation, Franklin & Dee’A, Manda Gabriel, Mbatjaa, Maranatha, Jael MK, Udochi, ItchabwoiDV8, D-Naff, and more.

Beyond the music, Victory Fest aims to revitalize Namibia’s live band performance culture and foster a deeper appreciation for local music among the public. Dee’A shared that the event serves as a platform to not only showcase talent but also advocate for social issues and inspire resilience in the creative sector.

“This year, we want to launch a fight against gender-based violence and restore hope. COVID-19 deeply affected the livelihoods of many creatives and entrepreneurs, yet we endured and remained resilient in our desire to express our passion for community,” he said. “Through this festival, we declare victory every year.”

On the state of gospel music in Namibia, Dee’A noted that the genre remains widely popular due to the country’s strong Christian influence. He stated that gospel concerts continue to draw large crowds, and the fusion of local languages, rhythms, and contemporary styles has strengthened its appeal.

Tickets for Victory Fest Vol. 6 are available via Web Tickets.

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-03

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