This article was first published by Expose Newspaper
By Elvis Muraranganda - elvis@exposenewspaper.com

For the first time in the Namibian music history, gospel artist can look forward to an award that is organized and designed especially for them. The Namibia Gospel Music Awards (NGOMA) is open to all Namibian gospel artists, defined as artists whose music is at least 80% gospel.

The event that promises to be glamorous and entertaining is jointly being organized by Valentina Events and Entertainment Management (V.E.E.M) and Clive Willemson Productions. The event is planned for October 2009 at Country Club. Details will be shared at the NGOMA launch in June.

Exposé spoke to a couple of gospel artists and other major players in Namibia’s gospel industry about the awards and asked them questions of what their general perception is.

Clive Willemson, Co-Organizer and major player in Namibia’s gospel music industry
“The purpose of NGOMA Awards is to develop and promote gospel music in Namibia and to give recognition to Gospel Artist; meaning artist that just sing Gospel music. The Awards is for Gospel Artist only; artist that produce and release Gospel music for the gospel market. Non-gospel artists singing gospel music I think it is a question that one should ask the non-gospel artists because my personal opinion is that the Bible is very clear that you cannot serve two Gods. You are either for or against. I choose to sing gospel not to sell more cd’s but because I choose to serve God, follow God and simply because he changed me and saved my life. Because of this I want more people to know about His grace and His love through music; not for any other reason. The word “GOSPEL” means good news, gospel artist simply share the Good news of Jesus Christ through music.”

Burundy (Gospel artist)
“It’s a great idea coming up with such an event; I am a winner in every battle so I will get away with every category I enter. I’m happy for every Namibian artist who falls in love with God and uses their talents to glorify Him. It’s really a good thing, for artists to give the message of hope to the nation through gospel music.”

Princess G (Gospel artist)
“Well I feel excited that at least something exclusively for us gospel artists is arranged. In spite of who gets the award, as long as justice is done and honesty is practiced. My opinion on non-gospel artists doing gospel; well it’s their right to do any genre they want. However, judges should do a background check on gospel artist before awarding them “best gospel” to see if they are truly living a “gospel” life according to Christian principles or just singing to make money out of the gospel but not doing it for the right reasons.”

Levite (Gospel artist)
“Am so excited, because I think it has been long overdue for Namibian gospel artists to have their own awards. If one, two, or perhaps three awards come my way, I would be happy because I really worked hard on this project. Nevertheless, there has been little happening on the gospel scene, but that`s not to say there is no talent. I think the major problem gospel artist have is that they are too church orientated. If most gospel artists are willing to invest big time in their music, then the playing field will definitely level. I honestly think that it is not that people don`t want to listen to the gospel, but it’s the way we sometimes present it that makes some people not want to listen. Check this out! If gospel artist will work together to set the trend, then they will bring the honour gospel music merits. Gospel music is not just a song you get in your booth and start singing; it’s much more than that.”

Philippine Netope (Gospel artist)
“I feel that an award like this, if conducted in all fairness and honesty, will benefit gospel artists a great deal, giving each participant equal opportunity and not discriminating against any genre of gospel music. I, however, would personally want to be part of an award which gives recognition to gospel artists because they are gospel artists and not music artists of other genres who have just decided to throw in a song or two that is gospel or religious.”

“It would help if the media could give gospel music the kind of respect and recognition it deserves, and even more, considering that gospel music is the only music that caters to the SPIRITUAL aspect of a human being. More needs to be done in terms of sponsorship also for gospel music artists because just like artists of other music genres, they are struggling to make it in that area. This will help us (gospel artists) to do live shows, produce good quality music, and be able to produce videos and DVDs.”

“Fortunately, I don`t believe that other music genres are competition for gospel music, no wonder it is always in its own category in any award. I, therefore, believe that gospel music entertains more fame and commands a lot more respect, not against other music genres but as a tool which carries and spreads the Word of God.”

“When one sings gospel, you are expressing what, who God is to you, and what He has done for you. You are declaring how, what you feel for Him and how you live and conduct your life to please Him, (it involves emotions), and because pleasing Him is the reason He made us. Gospel is a lifestyle, and so a gospel artist is required to live the talk. In other words, unless gospel is your lifestyle, you don`t qualify to sing it. You are practically preaching and so the first person to hear the preaching should be yourself, you get to be the mirror of what you sing about. You are also bringing across the message of hope, healing, prosperity (in all aspect of a person`s life), peace, salvation and well being to others. If there is any other music genre that allows anyone to do what I have just mentioned above, we can consider it a threat to gospel music.”

Fiola Cloete (Gospel Radio program presenter)
“Well I am really excited because this will be the first ever Gospel awards in Namibia & I believe it will be a great success. I m looking forward to it and hope the hard work of the gospel artists will finally pay off.”

MN Johnson (Namibia’s reigning Gospel Artist of the Year – Sanlam NBC Music Awards)
“I am excited, I trust myself, I trust God and I don’t believe in failure, failing is not also the end of the world. Secular artists singing gospel are not a threat to me because I am a child of and I sing about God and I love the people of God. But we should also live the songs we sing. God should be present in our lives and the people should see and know us by our fruits.”

Exposé tried, without success, to interview another popular gospel artist, D-Naff, who failed to return phone calls and emails.