The Effect on Artists

As the World Health Organisation’s prescribed social distancing effectively shutters arts establishments as a means to slow the spread of the coronavirus, artists who generate income through exhibitions, concerts, screenings and events face stalled employment and financial uncertainty.

Senga Brockerhoff

Though Senga Brockerhoff has had to cancel plans to celebrate next week’s World Theatre Day, rehearsal for her new production is cancelled and the revival of ‘Every Woman’, her award-winning theatre play, is in jeopardy, the film and theatre maker is intent on finding a silver lining.

“I am hoping that this Covid-19 experience – the self-isolation and all the cancelled events – will make us realise again how important it is for us as a society to engage in arts, hear music, see plays and how it is our catharsis,” she says. “Once we’ve rode this wave out then maybe we can see a big wave back into theatres, music shows and all of that.”

As a freelance artist, Brockerhoff worries about how she and her fellows are going to generate income, but she urges artists to take heart, finish long-pending projects and find inspiration. “Covid-19 is teaching us things about society and how we react as pack animals so to speak so maybe that could give us new ideas for things to write, say and put into music.”

DJ Alba Nalo

“One more cancellation call and I’m passing out,” tweets DJ Alba Nalo with a heartbreak emoji, a few days after the first few cases of the coronavirus are confirmed in the country. Lamenting the cancellation or postponement of some of her biggest gigs such as her scheduled performance at the Burna Boy concert, DJ Alba anticipates disaster.

“I can tell you now that it’s looking catastrophic for the arts and entertainment industry,” she says. “Some of our artists depend solely on events for their livelihood. It’s really unfortunate. Hopefully event organisers do find suitable dates for all these events.”

Though she’s feeling a little discouraged at this time, DJ Alba does appreciate that issues of public health are paramount. “I can only hope that we all stay safe and take all the necessary precautions to mitigate the spread of this virus. Hopefully this blows over sooner than expected.”

As fake news runs rampant online and in WhatsApp groups, the young DJ also urges people to share information responsibly as the nation embarks on measures to contain and treat the virus. “People should really verify information before spreading information to avoid causing unnecessary panic and confusion.”

Ashywn Mberi

Having cancelled auditions for The Gathering and Open Mic and previously looking forward to being an opening act at the postponed Burna Boy show, performance artist, actor and director Ashywn Mberi faces the new normal soberly but with some optimism.

“The arts will certainly be hit hard as far as public performances go. There is simply no way around it. Financially it will be difficult for artists mainly because there aren’t unions that can assist financially when artists literally cannot work,” he says. “However, online content is likely to get a boost in audiences and perhaps more artists need to figure their way around creating content for the web in order to survive.”

In this, Mberi feels challenged and not quite as hopeless as he thought he would be. “I plan on navigating the spaces that are available, for example social media, and seeing how to engage new audiences in new ways,” he says before ruminating on how the public can support artists at this time.

“I wish I had more answers beyond buying and paying for online content. But really there is little that can be done outside of that, short of donating from the good of their hearts to aid artists that survive on live performances.”

Despite the damper on his industry, Mberi’s hopes at this time are that the public continue to be health conscious and do their best to stop the spread of the virus. “I hope the government can contain the virus sooner rather than later. I hope artists don’t stop creating because it’s times like these when art is needed,” he says. “Life as we know it has changed. But it’s still life. And that will always mean infinite possibilities to me. We will get over this hurdle and step back onto the stages we love. But for now, work from home, wash your hands and no matter how hard that poem makes you think, don’t touch your face.”

Lize Ehlers

With RMB Song Night and her play ‘Boet & Sus’ both postponed until May, Lize Ehlers considers these trying times knowing it is better to be safe. “Covid-19 will financially disable and even bankrupt many Namibian artists because the industry works from gig to gig,” says Ehlers, who admits to being petrified about how this will affect artists who were relying on upcoming gigs that have either been postponed or cancelled. “I ask performers to stay calm and seek assistance from family members, and use this time to maybe create work that deals with pandemics and the feeling of your hands being cut off.”

Describing these coming months as “a very personal journey”, Ehlers nevertheless asks a little of the public. “If you know an artist or if you are family or friends with artists who rely on gatherings to pay their bills, if you have the means, support them by doing a small donation towards their dignity,” she says. “My hopes are that we beat the curve of rapid infection and that health measures are taken so drastically at every establishment that the spread of coronavirus is slowed down or stopped in its infancy in Namibia.”

Particularly concerned about Namibians without access to clean and running water, Ehlers additionally challenges the Ministry of Health and Social Services to provide clean water and sanitation solutions to all.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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