Walvis Bay municipality backs Namib Desert Jazz Festival with N$100 000

The Walvis Bay Municipality has announced it will support the Namib Desert Jazz Festival with N$100 000.

The festival is set to take place on 5 and 6 April at Dune 7, Walvis Bay.

According to the latest council agenda, the management committee recommended the funding be used for marketing and branding.

The council said organisers must commit to featuring locally based artists and using local SMEs for auxiliary services in preparation for the event.

The council said the funding will be drawn from the festival expenditure vote, which still has N$164 782.46 available.

Last year’s Namib Desert Jazz Festival was partially cut short due to unexpected rain in the desert.

Big names

This year’s lineup includes TKZee, Fagrie Isaacs, Loren Erasmus, Craig Lucas, Airborne, Pekka Pylkkanen, Julius May, Keanu Harker, Sigera Jazz & Fusion, DJ Chello, DJ Sylance, DJ Masdoosah, DJ Uncle Cal, Ernie Smith, Care All Stars – Donveno, Richard Ceaser, Vernon Castle, Dr Victor & Rasta Rebels, Suzy Eises, Hot Pocket, DJ Jazzy D, DJ Uncle Cal, and more artists to be announced.

The Love Jazz Cruise, on board the MSC Opera, is set to bring a number of international guests to the Namib Desert Jazz Festival. The cruise departs South Africa on 4 April and returns on 9 April. All international musicians booked for the festival will stay and perform aboard the MSC Opera. After the cruise, the ship heads to the Table Mountain Jazz Festival on 10 and 11 April in Cape Town.