This year’s edition of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) will take place on 02 May in [The Dome]
Swakopmund, the event’s executive chairperson, Tim Ekandjo, said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a media conference held in Windhoek on Tuesday, Ekandjo said they received 650 entries for the 10th edition and 101 entries
failed to make the cut.
This number, according to Ekandjo, although not favorable, is an indication that artists had made an effort to comply with entry rules.
“While we commend the vetting committee, the artists have really made an effort to make sure they enter in the right category and this comes
to show that we have grown,” he said.
Ekandjo said the first phase of the judging process had been completed and that the second phase commenced last week.
He further noted that the second phase will look into nominating artists for the top six categories which are usually not open for
entry from the artists.
“We are looking forward to creating a different look and feel of the NAMAs 2020, while capturing moments for the awards for the last nine
years. The sitting arrangements will also be different and those attending can expect a more engaging feel,” Ekandjo said.
He said that this year, the organising committee will do away with VIP tickets.
The committee is yet to select performing artists for the evening to fill the 30 available slots.
Ekandjo emphasised that the performance slots are given preference to nominated artists, adding that the awards are pinned to celebrate
those who made the nominee list and thus only fair to select performers from that list.
“We will also be running an SMS competition where we ask the public which artist they would like to see back on the NAMAs stage. We will
be pushing boundaries this year and look forward to a spectacular close of the NAMAs project and celebrating out 10th anniversary,” he
said.
The nominee announcement is scheduled for 27 March 2020 at the National Theatre of Namibia in the capital.