The Sound of Independence

Imagine having Bob Marley’s own blood, PJ Powers and local royalty Ras Sheehama (then known as Rasta Boy Hans) and Ndilimani perform on the same stage on the same day.

If you were at the independence celebrations in 1990, you do not have to imagine. Instead you are probably going back down memory lane in your mind and reminiscing about your experiences at that pivotal and exciting stage of our country’s history.

This was the first big musical concert enjoyed by an independent Namibia.

Drawing a crowd of close to 14 000 as reported by The Namibian of 26 March 1990, the concert was one of, if not the biggest to be seen in the country.

For Namibian band M-Connection, it was not only a first in terms of a big musical concert in an independent Namibia, it was also a first time the band performed on a major stage.

“It was the first ever big event we performed at and it was the first time we played with that type of sound,” said Michael Owos-oab, better known as Mannetjie.

Mannetjie, who is a well-known percussionist in Namibian session music circles, says that personally, it was a great honour for him to perform on the day.

“We had the opportunity to meet people we only saw in the papers, on television and heard on the radio. We also had the opportunity to interact with them backstage,” Mannetjie said.

Although Bob Marley was not there himself, reports in the edition of the The Namibian immediately following our first Independence Day said Ziggy Marley’s performance of his father’s hit ‘Could You Be Loved’ was welcomed with a roar of excitement and a crowd bursting into dance and singing along.

PJ Powers and Ziggy Marley were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the list of entertainers who made their way onto Namibian soil to help newly independent Namibians in celebrating their hard won freedom.

Musical history was made that day.

From songs written specially for the occasion, like ‘People Get Freedom in Namibia’ by Ziggy Marley, to electrical performances by the legendary South African band, then at the peak of their popularity, Mango Groove.

Namibians were entertained.

Straight from Soweto was Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse also added his musical touch to the celebrations. But what would a musical festival be to celebrate such a great milestone without Brenda Fassie?

Reportedly getting on stage in full ANC attire, the African pop queen was the symbol of Namibian independence, which motivated the soon-to-be-achieved South African freedom.

Various other bands from all over Africa like Tabu Ley from then-Zaire (now DRC) and international band Crazyhead also took on the stage to add to the day-long musical festival.

With the spectacular showcase of music, it was evident that Namibia was meant to be a musical nation.

Although it took some time, looking at the music industry 26 years later, it is blooming.

The journey was interesting with bands like the Chicklets, Mukorob, the late Willy Mbuende and Jackson Kaujeua paving the way in the early and mid-90s.

The early 2000s saw what seemed like a kwaito and local music boom. The Dogg, Gazza, Gal Level and a few others brought a sort of new feel to Namibian music towards the mid-2000s.

Ten years down the line, the Namibian music industry is rich with a diversity of genres from hip-hop, R&B, house and zouk and, of course, Afro-pop.

Namibian music has come a long way and by the looks of it, we’re just getting started.

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