The 2025 edition of the ‘Next Ma /Gaisa Star’ singing competition has taken steps to be more inclusive than ever.
This was announced by Stella !Naruses, co-owner of SAN-Welwitschia Music Productions and one of the organisers of the singing competition which has taken the country by storm for the past three years. !Naruses added that competition organisers plan to collaborate with video editors and studio owners to help contestants with their recordings.
“We are excited to support our contestants, particularly those who lack access to quality smartphones and basic recording studios. Those who aspire to enter are required to submit a landscape video of themselves singing any ma /gaisa song of their choice.”
Entries for the fourth season of the competition have opened, and applicants are invited to submit videos not exceeding two minutes in length of themselves singing without musical accompaniment (a cappella style). Entrants are also reminded that all the vocals on video should be their own.
“From the entries we have received so far, it seems that we are in for another exciting competition because there are some entrants out there who know how to sing. Of course, some need fine-tuning here and there but you can’t overlook the raw talent,” !Naruses said.
“Namibia [has] talented singers who are crying out for recognition and support, and this competition is offering just that. The participants are also granted the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase their talent live on television in the later stages of the competition.”
The competition has discovered exciting talent and all three previous winners were worthy of the grand prize.
Mervin ‘Marvtown’ Classen, the winner of the inaugural season, went on to become a star on the local music scene and the Windhoek-born artist is already considered as one of the finest performers and biggest stars in the ma /gaisa music genre.
The winner of the second season, Lourencious ‘Larco’ /Nanub, may not be as flamboyant and gifted on the dance floor as his predecessor, but the Leonardville native has the singing prowess and stage personality that have earned his star status.
2024 witnessed 19-year-old schoolgirl Laticia Nadine !Uri-!khos putting up a thumping performance in the decisive round of the competition, convincing both the judges and the screaming NTN Backstage audience that she was the ‘Next Ma /Gaisa Star’.
It has always been the wish of the organisers, who are based at Swakopmund, to take the event home to the coast, but that will remain a dream until a more suitable sponsor comes on board.
The National Theatre of Namibia, the National Arts Council and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation are once again partnering with SAN-Welwitschia Music Production in this year’s competition.
The closing date for entries is 20 January 2025.
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