THE late revolutionary and trailblazing Namibian folklore musician Tate Kwela will finally receive the highest honour in Namibian music at this year’s Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs).
NAMA executive chairman Tim Ekandjo revealed on Tuesday that the late shambo guitarist Johannes Almas, known as Tate Kwela, will be bestowed the NAMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2015. This posthumous award comes 10 years after the death of the musician, who is considered to be one of the country’s most legendary artists.
Tate Kwela was born on 4 April 1943 in Akweenyaga village in Uukwambi District of Oshana Region and passed away on 23 November 2005 at the aged of 62.
He released a number of albums in his lifetime, amongst them ‘Unplugged’, ‘Mutaleni Gwandje’, ‘Kwela’ and ‘Lexington and Cassette Session’ with hit songs like ‘Ohela Hela’ and ‘Kanailonga’ that are still popular long after his passing.
Tate Kwela captured both young and old with his music and lyrics as he would dazzle with his guitar, much to the amusement of live audiences during a career that spanned over four decades.
“He was one of the first recording artist in Namibia. You would have to understand culture and language in order to make sense of his music and lyrics because they were very deep and touching. He sang about the liberation struggle without necessarily having crossed the border but fighting it with his lyrics and the oppressors could not pick up the lyrics,” said Tim Ekandjo of Kwela.
Further describing Kwela as a musical beacon, Ekandjo compared Kwela to another legendary musician, Oliver Mtukudzi.
“We are looking forward to honouring this musical genius and it is a real pity that we do so now that he has passed, it is however our hope that his music will continue to inspire many musicians for many more years to come.”
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