NAMAs may relocate

A light spat appears to be developing between the City of Windhoek and MTC. This follows an announcement by the NAMAs executive chairperson, Tim Ekandjo, that MTC might be forced to review the decision to host the event in Windhoek due to the astronomical costs of renting the Ramatex venue. City spokesperson Joshua Amukugo told Namibian Sun that MTC did not discuss the matter with the City.“I cannot comment but if I had to say something, the NAMAs and MTC did not approach us on this matter. We are only hearing from the media. We are willing to discuss the issue but we will not do so through the media,” he said.He added that if the NAMAs decided to move elsewhere that would be “fine”.When contacted for comment in this regard, Ekandjo said, “We stand by our statement.”After hosting the most-viewed music awards show in Windhoek for two years, the organisers might be forced to relocate to another town due to lack of support from the municipality. The change of heart comes after the NAMA organising committee recently announced the return of the NAMAs to Windhoek after hosting the event successfully for two consecutive years at the coastal town of Swakopmund. The annual event was held in Windhoek this year, delighting many Windhoekers who were starved for two years. “You will recall that we resurrected the Ramatex venue in 2012 despite public criticism. We re-opened it, marketed the venue, spent over N$500 000 fixing it and getting it ready inside and out and then we hosted the NAMAs successfully there for two years,” said Tim Ekandjo.Ekandjo also said that the organisers are charged over N$350 000 to host the event at Ramatex despite the fact that they contributed towards the suitability of the venue. According to him, the NAMAs attract viewers and spectators from all over and is a good platform for marketing the City of Windhoek to attract tourists and direct investment coming from inbound Namibians attending the show, benefitting the hospitality sector and other commercial businesses. “One would therefore expect the relevant authorities to sponsor the venue at no cost by looking at the bigger picture, but that is unfortunately not the case. We are also charged for set-up days, and if the authorities cannot accommodate us then we might just go to a town that appreciates the bigger picture,” said Ekandjo.Sula Kyababa, a local producer and manager of Ogopa Butterfly record label said wherever the NAMAs is hosted he will go with. “It’s a pity that the City doesn’t see the business opportunities the event attracts. It’s about sustainability and if the City won’t assist then its best NAMAs are hosted in a town that will support the awards. If we lose the NAMAs we will also be affected,” said Sula. The town of Swakopmund would be eager to get the NAMAs back. Over the past two years, the Municipality of Swakopmund raised funds to pay for the venue and direct inflows of cash into Swakopmund based on a recent study was calculated at over N$5 million.June Shimuoshili

NAMAs may relocate

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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NAMAs may relocate

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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