Bank Windhoek Song Competition Draws Over 100 Local Artists

The Namibian music industry has been buzzing with excitement, following Bank Windhoek’s invitation for local artists to remix their brand song ‘For the sake of love’.

So far, the competition has attracted more than 100 entries, including from both established and up-and-coming artists.

Artists who have entered the competition include some of Namibia’s biggest names, such as PDK, Ann Singer, Miss Gideon, Cazzy, TopCheri, Stella, Teqla, James Omlongo, Ian Lovly, Oteya and Jericho. The platform has also seen the participation of emerging artists and even the revival of some groups that had been inactive for years.

STRONG RESPONSE

According to Bank Windhoek marketing and corporate communication executive Jacqueline Pack, the overwhelming response has exceeded expectations.

“We anticipated a strong reaction, but the level of enthusiasm and creativity has truly impressed us. This competition proves that Namibian artists are ready to take on any challenge,” Pack says.

The competition has sparked debate within entertainment circles, with some questioning the fairness of emerging artists competing against industry veterans. However, Bank Windhoek maintains that the competition is designed to be inclusive and fair for all participants.

“To ensure fairness, the competition is entirely public-driven, meaning winners are decided based on legitimate views and engagement across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. This removes bias and allows all artists to showcase their talent on an equal footing,” Pack explains.

Pack assures that the competition was designed as an inclusive platform for all Namibian artists, regardless of their experience or industry standing.

The competition is entirely public-driven, meaning the audience decides the winners. This ensures a fair and transparent selection process, where creativity and originality take centre stage.

JUDGING CRITERIA & PRIZES

Submissions are evaluated based on overall quality, artistic interpretation and musical composition. Artists are encouraged to showcase their vocal or instrumental technique and originality to make their remix stand out.

However, the final decision rests with the public, as winners will be determined by the total number of legitimate views accumulated on social media. Any attempts to manipulate engagement, such as using bots or paid traffic, will lead to disqualification.

The competition comes with enticing rewards for the top three artists:

• First place: N$70 000
• Second place: N$50 000
• Third place: N$30 000

PUBLIC VOTING OPEN

As the excitement around the competition continues, the public still has the opportunity to vote for their favourite remixes. Fans can support their preferred artists by watching, liking and sharing their videos on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. The more engagement an entry receives, the better its chances of winning.

Beyond being a competition, the initiative is a celebration of Namibian talent and aims to foster stronger connections between artists and the community. It aligns with Bank Windhoek’s broader ‘Is it possible to love a bank?’ brand campaign, launched in 2024, which emphasises meaningful relationships beyond banking transactions.

“As a bank with a long-standing legacy of supporting the arts, we see this competition as part of our mission to empower Namibian artists and create meaningful opportunities for growth,” Pack says.

The final announcement of winners will take place on Wednesday, 30 April. Further details on the event and platform for showcasing the winning remixes will be communicated to the public and media in due course.

As the public votes continue to roll in, excitement builds around which artist will take home the grand prize and the title of best remix