Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Gazza

Also known as: Lazarus Shiimi · Tate Shikishiki

Gazza — musician appointed to Swapo Party Think Tank's Cluster 4 focusing on youth empowerment and creative economy policies.

Culture

Ondangwa Expo 2026 draws controversy over artist selection

The News

The upcoming Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (24 April–2 May 2026) has sparked social media debate after some local artists were denied performance opportunities. The town council says it rotates fairly among artists and rejected one artist's bid citing steep fees that would exhaust the performance budget, while defending other selections on grounds of regional representation and prior participation.

21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Ondangwa Expo 2026 draws controversy over artist selection

    The upcoming Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (24 April–2 May 2026) has sparked social media debate after some local artists were denied performance opportunities. The town council says it rotates fairly among artists and rejected one artist's bid citing steep fees that would exhaust the performance budget, while defending other selections on grounds of regional representation and prior participation.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Arts ministry consults on reviving dormant Namibian music awards

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invited industry stakeholders to help shape the return of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), which have been dormant since MTC withdrew funding in 2020. A stakeholder engagement session is scheduled for 14 March to strengthen the awards' credibility and gather input on award categories, industry development needs, and future direction.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Chester Houseprince expands business, calls for merit-based artist bookings

    Namibian musician Chester Houseprince, who rose from dancing to a successful solo career since 2018, is now diversifying into business ventures while advocating for industry unity, genre-blending and merit-based artist bookings rather than favouritism in event selection.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. VDKei Crazyboy and Proof Nana release album 'I Am The Door'

    Fidelis Pataka (VDKei Crazyboy), a self-made producer and artist from Ondonga, has released a 17-track collaboration album titled 'I Am The Door' with afro-fusion artist Proof Nana. The project blends soul, afro, spiritual elements and contemporary Namibian influences, with the artists aiming to reclaim local music's cultural roots.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 February

  1. Windhoek musician Ees balances music, merchandise in Germany

    Eric Sell, a Windhoek-born musician based in Germany for two decades, is currently working on his 16th studio album titled 'Freshness', which incorporates amapiano influences. He combines his music career with Nam Flava merchandise—including clothing, food products, and footwear—and advises aspiring artists that talent alone is insufficient and that fame requires sustained hard work.

    28 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Opuwo artist Stakes Boy reaches one million YouTube views

    Stanley Manuel, known as Stakes Boy, a 23-year-old from Opuwo, has become a rising Herero disco artist whose song "Ove Omuwa" achieved over one million YouTube views and gained traction on TikTok. He began recording music during the Covid-19 lockdown using his phone and has since collaborated with established artists, crediting persistence through criticism and online support for his success.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

  1. Central Elite Volleyball League raises funds for Katutura Hospital

    The Central Elite Social Volleyball League for 2026 launched on 14 February with a focus on community giving, particularly to Katutura Hospital. The league aims to raise funds and donate sanitary pads to support the hospital's children's ward and female patients, with 20 registered teams playing one game per month.

    16 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 February

  1. Rising amapiano star Shax Champion on his rapid success

    Teen musician Andreas Shipanga, known as Shax Champion, has seen rapid stardom since his debut hit "Soos 'n Dier" in June 2024, crediting his unique sound and choral background for his success. He won song of the year at the 2025 MTC Namibia Content Creator Awards and advises aspiring musicians to develop their own style rather than copying international artists.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Ms Gideon signs with Sony Music Africa, releases debut single

    Rising Windhoek-based singer Panduleni Gideon has signed a full record deal with Sony Music Africa in partnership with ERA Music Group and will release her first single 'Tiki Tak Tak' on 27 February. She is reported to be the only Namibian artist with a direct recording contract under Sony Music Africa's global roster.

    12 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

  1. DJ Dozza builds international career through quality production

    Namibian producer Mentos Goagoseb, known as DJ Dozza, is gaining recognition locally and internationally through collaborations with German producer Leo Large, with recent placements on Netflix and Showmax, and upcoming releases planned for 2026.

    26 January 2026 · New Era →

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