End of the road

MTC announced that it will bid farewell to the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) after the conclusion of the 10th NAMAs in 2020. The announcement was made by MTC executive Tim Ekandjo earlier this week in Windhoek at the 2019 NAMA prize handover ceremony, which also served as the official call for entries for the 10th edition of the NAMAs.In an interview with tjil, MTC spokesperson Fikameni Mathias shared that as highlighted during the announcement, the decision to exit the NAMAs project was not an easy one, given MTC's connection to the brand. “However, we felt that it was the opportune time to disembark to focus on other areas. “After spending 10 years and in excess of N$100 million, we are proud of the impact and legacy we have made,” said Mathias.For MTC, the space of arts, music, dance and spoken word was the perfect opportunity to plough back in. Mathias, added that MTC's involvement to promote, recognise, appreciate and reward Namibian musical and artistic work has been nothing short of exciting. “MTC is proud to say that with your support, we have been able to successfully grow the NAMAs brand internationally, by giving our artists a terrific platform to showcase Namibian talent globally. “It was a moment well-cherished and we are extremely proud to have been able to achieve the feats we have with the awards. The record of achievements in the music industry are well-documented,” he said. Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) chief commercial officer Umbi Karuaihe-Upi said MTC has sufficiently invested in the music industry in the last nine years. “Sometimes when something ends, it is an opportunity for new doors to open. We do not really know what will happen, but one thing I want to assure you is that NBC will always make sure that we endeavour to invest in the music industry. We have come such a long way,” she said. At this announcement, MTC and NBC officially opened the call for entries for the 10th NAMAs, slated for May 2020. The entry period started on Monday and will end on Friday, 13 December. No entries will be accepted after this deadline and no extensions will be granted. Only artists who commercially released albums between 1 December 2018 and 30 November 2019 will be eligible for entry. Ekandjo confirmed that no changes have been made for the 10th NAMAs, except for a new category titled Artist of the Decade being added. “Seeing that this is MTC's last NAMAs, we wish to celebrate that one artist of the decade, which by definition is the artist that has won the most NAMAs accolades collectively over the 10-year period,” said Ekandjo. MTC believes that the solid foundation laid, will enable the next investor or investors to soar to further heights. “We bow out with humble plea and prayer to our brothers and sisters in the corporate space to not shun the awards; please let it not die, please step in and carry over the mantle and the torch of creative ingenuity.”On how the awards show under the direction of MTC has transformed her life, 2019 Artist of the Year, Lize Ehlers, told tjil she is grateful to MTC for their role in growing the music business. “MTC has transformed not only my life, but those of many artists as well. They recognised our work and provided us with a great platform,” said Ehlers. MICHAEL KAYUNDE

End of the road

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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End of the road

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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