NAMIU calls for NAMA executive to step down

Organisers of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) MTC admitted to the blunders of the NAMAs which were held last week Saturday. Speaking at a press conference held by the organisers this week, MTC’s Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs, Tim Ekandjo apologized for the hasty organization of the awards. “We promised excellence and we need to be held accountable to deliver on these promises. We will therefore not shy away or come up with excuses, or try and justify them in one way or another, but we will do the honourable thing which is to apologize for all the technical glitches experienced on the night. Our viewers and those in attendance deserved better and we have started addressing these matters without wasting any time” he said.
However the Namibia Music Industry Union  (NAMIU) also expressed their disappointment at the weekend’s music awards and held their own press conference. “Awarding the tender to organise the event and supply of technical equipment to a foreign company while we have capable technicians who could as well do the job is an insult to our intelligence. We condemn this approach in the strongest terms and demand that the 2014 NAMA event be organised by a local management company” said General Secretary of NAMIU, Joseph Gabriel.
Ekandjo confirmed in his statement that South African company Rockstar 4000 was awarded the tender after the Namibian companies failed to apply for the tender. “Only one company’s application came forth and they did not have the right technical equipment”.
Not only was the numerous technical glitches, several presenters could not properly read their cues and one representative was visibly drunk on stage.
Gabriel also said the union called for Tim Ekandjo to step down as NAMA Executive Chair and also expressed concern that members of the union felt that they had been unfairly treated when it came to choosing who participated in which category. “The non-involvement of our members resulted in the event organizers misplacing songs, we call on the organizers to bring back the consultation sessions to allow musicians to contribute and respect the views of our members”.