Elemotho in French Radio Awards top ten

By: Selma Kaulinge

N amibian artists are flying their country’s flag high on the international stage. Soon after three Namibian artist were nominated for the annual Channel O Awards, come news that Elemotho was selected as one of the ten finalists from a total of 500 entries, for the RFI France 24 Discoveries Awards Music 2012.

The awards are an annual contest which is open to singers residing in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands and have helped launch many artists who have since reached an international audience, examples are Belo from Haiti, Didier Awadi of Senegal,  and  Tiken Jah Fakoly from Ivory Coast. 

Elemotho is an author, composer and musician, who describes himself as a “musical activist.”  He mixes sounds from his homeland with the folk accents of Anglo Saxon music, singing in Setswana, English, and other Namibian languages. 

The Namibian spoke to Elemotho who could not contain his excitement. “It is really a big deal to be chosen from 500 entries across Africa and Indian Ocean. Winning will be great but making it to the top ten is a pleasure in itself, it is humbling.” he said. 

The jury will meet on October 2 under the chairmanship of the artist Angelique Kidjo and give the vote at this time. A public vote will be added to the jury’s decision. If he does win, Elemotho could walk away with a cash award of 10 000 Euros, a wide-scale promotion package as well as concert in Paris and a tour in Africa.

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