Independence and The Namibian Sound

EVER since the first independence celebrations, a music concert to complement the official ceremony has always been tradition. Celebrating Namibia’s 26th birthday on Monday, some of the country’s top musicians took to the Independence Stadium to celebrate this beautiful land, her people, rich culture, traditions and triumphs.

The Ndilimani Cultural Troupe kept the crowd entertained throughout the arrival of the invited guests, taking the crowd back two and half decades with their popular liberation songs.

The sounds of the popular ‘Sama Ouli Peni’ blended in with the roar of the crowd when founding president Sam Nujoma’s arrival was announced.

In similar fashion, Ndilimani also performed songs celebrating former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and current head of state, Hage Geingob.

Just when one thought that was it in terms of music for the official opening, the popular group Savannah Afros took centre stage and started drumming. They were soon joined by Savannah Afros’ vocalist Nyashe, Song Night regular back up vocalist Bradley Anthony and upcoming musician Metarere Tjiho.

The fusion of Namibian artists with the Zimbabwean group was a beautiful blend of southern African sounds and testament to the fact that Namibia has been home to many fellow Africans over the decades.

Sadly, after the official part of the ceremony finished, the crowd started to wither away.

A rugby game and a few athletics races later and the stadium was only occupied by a handful of people. As the sun started disappearing, so to did the few people left at the stadium.

“Some of my friends left because the buses were leaving at 18h00, but I want to stay because I love music and I want to dance,” music lover Francisca Vries, who stayed to the end of the programme, said

The small numbers did not stop the performers from delivering a crowd-pleasing and entertaining show.

Kicking off the programme was rock band Penilane who was joined by musician Slickarte on the African drums and saxophone sensation Suzy Eises. It was a fusion of jazz meets rock meets Afro.

Papa Shikongeni took to the stage next and delivered a spectacular performance of some his best tracks like ‘Mukadhona Gwange’.

Performing with a four-piece band, Big Ben even got a few dance moves in when he performed tracks from his old and new albums, adding some Jonathan Butler to the mix with a short rendition of ‘Seventh Avenue’.

Former Mukorob band member and legendary musician Axue had the very small crow dancing to his traditional inspired sound.

Singer Erna Chimu performed her award-winning track ‘Hai-Serute’. The crowd by this time moved closer to the stage and asked for more when Erna’s lead guitarist Sam Batola delivered an electrifying solo.

Before the night came to an end with fireworks, the Ugly Creatures took to the stage with the legendary composer of the Namibian anthem, Axali Doëseb.

It was a mixture of youth and the more experienced with Uncle and Esme Katjikuru adding perfect hair-raising vocals to the legendary band’s performance.

While the acts put on a good show, the technical side was rather disappointing with microphones switching off, a lack of sufficient monitors, keyboards malfunctioning and the stage not being anywhere close to one befitting a national celebration.