Give them a good cheer

This week I have a burning desire to talk about the glaring lack of support for our own artists, as we ridicule the “local is lekker” chant. It is high time Namibians rally and hoist the flag high for our local artists and this is the only way that we can help them to soar higher. They are our own and for expending so much energy and their meagre earnings from long hours of rehearsals, we can do better to make them grow. That moral support no doubt lifts their morale and fuels their zeal to excel and do better. The arts define who we are, what boggles our mind and often what we wish to be or become. Artists sing, draw and act about issues that as a people and country encounter and therefore, their talents are never meant to benefits them alone but of us as a nation. And, it is based on this assumption that we all need to support them, emotionally, financially and morally. Unless we accord them that respect and appreciation, there are lesser chances they will be appreciated elsewhere. After all our artists are a reflection of whom we are and they mirror our culture to the rest of the world. To the artists I urge you to understand that growth is a process and success depends on what and how much you put down. When embarking on your careers take cognisance of the fact that your project is like sowing a seed. Unless you prepare the land well, the seed that you plant may fail to germinate and bear fruit. Or, if it germinates, how you take care of it after it emerges, will determine the harvest. Many of our artists spoil their bright future because they are in a hurry to prosper and get famous but prosperity and fame do not come on a silver platter; it demands patience, hard work, good relations and good reputation. One wise man once said: “It doesn't matter how slow you move as long as you keep moving.” It is based on this that I encourage our artists to be patient enough to allow the natural growth processes of our different personalities. Our roads to fame are never one-size-fit-all and therefore I urge Namibian artists to work hard and with the necessary support from all of us, you will enjoy your roads to stardom and remember the sky is always there for you keep shining.

June Shimuoshili