The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) is urging Namibian artists to unite in rejecting free performances.
Nascam board chairperson and executive member of Orruano Artists’ Union Suleiman Kyababa said this in a statement on Friday, titled ‘Stop Blaming the Government’.
This comes after the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture called on artists to perform for free at a tribute concert honouring founding president Sam Nujoma.
The tribute concert is set for 26 February at Independence Arena in Windhoek.
Kyababa says the government should respect the creative industry as a legitimate business sector and refrain from calling for unpaid performances.
“We call on all artists to stand in solidarity and refuse to participate in any pro bono performances in the near future – unless it is a voluntary initiative for a noble cause agreed upon by the industry as a whole.
“We also urge the government to adopt a formalised approach when engaging artists by requesting quotations and selecting performers based on merit and relevance to the occasion,” he says.
Kyababa says artists have been approaching the government to offer free performances at state events to gain favours.
“It has come to our attention that some artists have been approaching the government to offer free performances at state events, particularly funerals, in an attempt to gain favour when major events, such as independence celebrations, are being organised.
“This practice not only sets a dangerous precedent, but also devalues the immense contribution of artists to the
cultural and economic fabric of Namibia.
“By offering free services, we weaken our industry’s bargaining power and create an environment where artists are not compensated according to their worth,” he says.
The statement further reads: “This has prompted the government to make public calls for pro bono performances for the purpose of transparency, further exacerbating the issue and creating unnecessary competition among artists.”
Kybaba says as a result, the industry remains fragmented, with individual interests taking precedence over collective growth and sustainability.
“It is crucial that we as artists and creatives, recognise our worth and demand that our contributions be respected. We must discourage those who willingly offer their services for free in exchange for favouritism, as this not only harms their own careers, but also undermines the credibility of the entire industry.
“Our art is valuable, and our impact on the nation’s economy should not be taken lightly. Together, we have the power to create a thriving and sustainable creative industry that benefits all artists. Let us remain united in our pursuit of fair compensation, professional recognition, and respect for our craft. The change starts with us,” he says.
