Social Warriors Male Artists Join Fight Against Social Issues

You might have seen the names Big Ben, Ixa, Mappz and Savanahh Afros pop up on the entertainment scene before.

However, come October these artists and other men in the industry will join in the fight against social injustices along with the Namkid’s Social Splash Project. Social Splash is a campaign aimed at uniting Namibians to stand together to alleviate social problems.

On 20 October at the Franco-Namibian Cutlural Centre (FNCC), themes such as gender-based violence, baby dumping, poverty, tribalism and motor vehicle accidents will be discussed. The conversation will be facilitated by Otto Kapuka, with the participation of previously mentioned Big Ben, Ixa, and Mappz as well as Sensei, Brain The Tool and Cape Town-based rapper Youngsta CPT.

“It’s a man’s world, they say,” said Jasmine Goagoses, one of the founders of the organisation. “He has the power to lead,” she added, saying that due to cultural and societal stereotypes, men’s voices are more often heard than women’s, although women can also lead.

“Men have the power to bring the masses together and change the world. Men are the examples for the little boys. We need our kings to step in and help,” she said.

Goagoses mentioned that it is mostly women on the forefront of these fights and she would like to see more men take responsibility. “We want a man saying ‘hey, why is the father not mentioned in the baby dumping case?’ We want men to say ‘it’s wrong to hit a woman.’ We want men to help us fight.”

The young entrepreneur mentioned that art was the medium used to bring the message across due to its power to persuade. She said that art can speak to the soul, the mind and the heart.

“We want to inspire and motivate. Sometimes us speaking doesn’t get through to someone. They’ll have to hear a tune or see an image.”

“Art plays a huge role. Art is everyday. Art is not just a drawing – it’s a flow of energy. Just like people have been programmed by television and radio throughput the years, we would like to programme people with a more positive perspective. People are always drawn to what looks and sounds nice. Art is definitely a weapon in the fight,” she expressed.

Goagoses mentioned the Social Splash was inspired by certain life events dating back to 2013. “My friend and I always had a desire to change the world. So as the years went by, we put ideas together, we met people who steered us along the way too. Now we are here.” Nonelwa Gqwede is in partnership with Goagoses to make the show a success.

With Social Splash, the team wants to bring different people together, have fun and inspire people to start making changes in their communities. “It’s OK if dreams look out of reach, but we know we will be part of those who change the world. If so much bad is happening, I’m sure the good can weigh just as much.”

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