This page is intended to serve as a resource for Namibian musicians to improve their skills and opportunities, combining advice from current industry insiders with information about other resources.
Participants suggested many ways for Namibian musicians to take advantage of opportunities and help the government support them more effectively, including improving themselves professionally through education and skills acquisition, collaborating more effectively, and taking themselves more seriously.
Developing Their Skills
Although they recognized that the opportunities for education in performing arts are limited, participants commented that there is no replacement for musicianship and developing the fundamentals, which requires hard work and practice.
However, many Namibian musicians don’t realize that musicianship is not enough to be successful in the modern music industry.
Therefore, participants urged musicians to broaden their skill sets. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean becoming an expert, but musicians should have a basic understanding of how to market themselves and especially how to negotiate performance and recording fees and avoid being taken advantage of.
There are barriers, but in the age of the Internet, a lot of the information that musicians need is at their fingertips—if they take initiative to find it.
Collaborating
However, musicians should not feel like they have to do everything themselves. While musicians are often reluctant to work with managers and publicists out of a fear that they will be taken advantage of, this fear stems mainly from misconceptions and a lack of education. In fact, many musicians spoke about the benefits of working with other industry professionals. For those who are less confident with digital technology, relying on professionals can help them profit from their work more effectively. Rather than struggling with tasks that take away from their creativity, musicians can look to others for support. Although musicians already face many operating costs, sharing skill sets can be one way to lessen the financial burden. If those working in the music industry can collaborate more effectively, they can be more efficient.
Taking Initiative
Participants urged musicians to take initiative and look for opportunities, stressing that they cannot wait for others to solve their problems. They cautioned against complacency and encouraged musicians to keep pushing. Although the government needs to take action to support them more effectively, musicians must also use the resources at their disposal and create their own solutions.
Musicians may have to take chances and make sacrifices sometimes to be successful. Even if some opportunities seem like a waste of time, initiative and hard work often pays off.
Organizing
One way that musicians can create opportunities for themselves is by building organizations that can represent their interests. Change can only occur if musicians work together. An organization for musicians could reward experience while connecting industry veterans with aspiring artists and help recording artists collect their royalty payments more effectively.
The need for a formal musicians’ union has been recognized by musicians themselves, as well as the government. The NACHP seeks to “support the establishment of a musicians’ union,” recognizing its potential “to promote, defend, and protect the rights of Namibian musicians.” There have been previous attempts to unionize Namibian musicians, but they have been unsuccessful. Unionizing is crucial to give musicians greater bargaining power and to help the government support them more effectively.
Taking Themselves Seriously
Namibian musicians also need to learn to behave professionally in order for others to take them seriously. This includes the public institutions that are trying to support them as well as other venues. Namibian musicians need to know how to market themselves and understand what is expected of them. Participants also pointed out that many Namibian musicians do not behave professionally and felt that they would benefit from a better work ethic, emphasizing that if they don’t take themselves seriously, others won’t either.
Namibia has a high rate of alcohol consumption, which is closely tied to entertainment and leisure. Meanwhile, the lack of platforms for local musicians means that live music is largely relegated to bars and clubs where it is not the main focus, leading to an unhealthy culture of drinking and partying that ultimately harms musicians.
Standing Together
Although some Namibian musicians have achieved success, this has not translated into success for all musicians. While cultural attitudes toward local music play a role, participants pointed to Namibian musicians’ resistance to working together as another factor. The perception that resources are limited means that many Namibians are not willing to share information about workshops, collaborate with other artists, or even attend each other’s shows, believing that helping others hurts their own chances of success.
In particular, participants criticized musicians who have found success, yet have been unwilling to share their knowledge and connections with younger musicians. Given a widespread lack of knowledge about music as a business and inadequate opportunities for formal education, musicians felt that those with more experience have a responsibility to help mentor and educate younger artists. In an industry where personal and professional connections are important for getting bookings and building audience support, sharing those connections can help young musicians access opportunities that they might not otherwise and build connections.
More Resources
While this page is designed to serve as a resource by offering advice from musicians and other industry professionals, it is not meant to be comprehensive. The NTN’s Music Business in Namibia Reader 2021 is an excellent resource which is aimed specifically at emerging musicians, offering a more in-depth look at opportunities and strategies.
Information about upcoming workshops, callouts, and competitions can be found on the websites of the NTN, the FNCC, and the Goethe-Institut. The NACN offers workshops, bursaries, and grants for artists to expand their skillsets.
Youth Education
There are several organizations working to provide opportunities for Namibian youth to be exposed to, and to participate in, music. They include YONA (Youth Orchestras of Namibia), OYO (the Ombetja Yehinga Organization), Theodosia Music and Art Centre (@theodosiacentre24 on Instagram), the Mascato Youth Choir in Swakopmund (@mascatoyouthchoir on Instagram), and the APC (the Arts Performance Centre), with centres in Tsumeb and Oshikuku.