By: Uakutura Kambaekua
Previously known as ”Konsert”, Ovaherero people’s music genre ‘Oviritje’ artists were over the weekend rewarded for their achievements throughout the year.
Six categories were up for grabs at a grand finale event that took place at Walvis Bay on Saturday, which saw several newcomers emerging victorious.
The genre, which spans more than 50 years in the local industry, was popularised by Kareke Henguva as a pioneer of modern Oviritje. Kakazona Kavari, Meisie Henguva, and Oomzulu Pietersen introduced the keyboard element. Oviritje Music was previously performed with vocals only. Before Kareke and others, the likes of Matuarari Kaakunga, Ben Uanivi, and Bella Kazongominja developed the Oviritje genre.
The weekend’s awards were made possible by Nudo parliamentarian and former Oviritje artist Joseph Kauandenge who pumped N$ 100,000 into the event as a reward to deserving artists while promoting the genre on a broader scale.
Kauandenge confirmed the weekend’s awards event to The Villager newspaper on Tuesday, stating that the primary purpose was to breathe in some life in the genre.
“We are coming from a period of Covid-19 where everything came to a standstill and music took a back seat as there were no more shows. I thought that perhaps it was the right time to bring the music back to life and promote the genre to the wider public and, in particular, award these artists,” said Kauandenge.
The former entertainer known for his hit song “Baby-Baby” also lauded the event as a success, noting that the event attracted music lovers from across the country.
“The event was very successful taking into account that we started with the launch in May, which was well attended and well promoted. Then we went for the nomination show in July, and now the grand finale in Walvis. It’s an award event that stood for eight months, since February this year when we opened the line for registration,” he said.
Lauded as one of the best modern Oviritje artists with more than five albums to his name and collaborations, Kaleffa Tjiriange took home the Best Male Artist of the year. The song of the year category went to Bale Ripunda, who made his mark last year, with the Best Gospel category award given to the ACM choir. Ovandu-Vamazera walked away with the Best Upcoming Artist award. Old school Oviritje division was won by Tjimbuaa Kenamuinjo with the ACM choir doubling their awards for the night as they yet again scooped the Best Video award.
Moreover, Kauandenge said that the industry will continue to blossom, however, considering the country’s population and how music is neglected in the country, there is no serious money to be made.
“Oviritje music is inborn,. You will never get this music anywhere apart from Botswana. It’s homegrown music. It has a future locally and internationally. As you know, we have so many exports of Oviritje artists currently residing in Canada and in the UK,” he said while advising artists to rather focus on their studies and only do music as a hobby.
“I always advise artists even those young ones who are talented to rather focus on their academic qualifications, to study and obtain serious qualifications to earn a living and only to use music as a hobby. Often these youngsters make the mistake of leaving school thinking music will look after them, only to see that this is not the case and by that time it’s always too late,” added Kauandenge.
“I always tell the young ones that they must pursue their qualifications, obtain degrees, and naturally get employed, collect salaries from their employment and then they can use music only as a hobby or part-time affair. In Namibia, there are few artists that can make a living from music. We have a low population compared to South Africa and other countries, and you cannot have the willing buyer willing seller power within the music industry to make a living out of it. It’s just unfortunate that many young choose to leave school and go hustle in music, thinking that they will make it big only to be disappointed later and then the school is not there. I advise them not to make that mistake,” said Kauandenge.
