NAMAs 2019 Judges Announced

The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAS) 2019 announce the shows judges. The esteemed judging panel for this year is once again made up from a very credible and highly acclaimed Namibian panel of judges together with music, entertainment and media executives from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Jamaica and the USA.

The NAMAS are expected to happen end of August 2019.

Axali is Namibia’s first post independent black conductor of the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra and author of the Namibian National Anthem. The NAMAs recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award has made his mark in contemporary Namibian music industry is all over and to this day he still continues to play a greater role in nurturing, and advising and composing music for various scores of the Namibian society.

Sean Watson is the Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment Pan Africa and one of the most highly acclaimed music entertainment industry moguls on the African continent and the man behind the global success and careers of a myriad of the biggest names in African music including megastars Wizkid, Davido, Alikiba, Kwesta, Joyous Celebration, Zonke, AKA, Shekhinah, DJ Maphorisa, Mlindo, D’banj, Riky Rick, Lira, Amanda Black, DJ Fresh to name a select few and the success of international mega stars within the African continent for Beyonce, Usher, Chris Brown, Khalid, Alicia Keys, Childish Gambino, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Daddy Yankee, Pitbull, Calvin Harris, Will Smith, J Cole, Kesha, Chainsmokers, Justin Timberlake to name a few.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an internationally recognized South African singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, humanitarian and teacher. Dubbed the “Princess of Africa” Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 27 years and has been popular in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Songs like “I’m Burning Up”, “Thank You Mr Dj”, “I Cry For Freedom”, “Motherland” and the ever-popular “Umqombothi” ensured Yvonne’s stardom. The song “Umqombothi” was featured in the opening scene of the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda.

Alma Ulamba comes from a musical family where her foundation started as piano student many years ago. Artistcally inclined, she followed the artistic urge by joining the Art Industry. Her experience in the industry is versatile since she has been in the corridors of arts as a chairperson of the national arts council, recording industry of Namibia and currently she is the Head of the national Theatre of Namibia. As a seasoned judged, she has been with the Namas since inception but took an interval for 3 years. She is back to to rock the ship like never before.

Jasmine Dotiwala, who studied at Roehampton University in the United Kingdom where she completed a BA Honours degree, is an award-winning trail blazer and key influencer who has gained international acclaim over a career most would just dream about.

Morgan Heritage, formed in 1994, made their first appearance at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica. They were subsequently signed by MCA and released their debut album Miracles the same year. After the release of the Miracles album, the family moved to Denroy’s homeland of Jamaica. Once in Jamaica, Morgan Heritage began working with reggae producers Bobby Dixon and Lloyd James, resulting in the release of their second album. Following the release of their 2001 album More Teachings. Morgan Heritage toured Europe again, and they later returned several times. Also in 2001 they took part in the Vans Warped Tour.

Lischen Khachas has been dubbed Namibia’s top female DJ. She is a holder of a diploma in Sound Engineering and Music production. Lischen Khachas is also a Radio personality and an MC and has been a part of the Namibian music industry for more than 12 years as a DJ and also behind the scenes. She has worked for Radio Energy 100 FM where she started off her career as a commercial DJ in 2010 and also worked for Fresh FM radio and has vast experience in the broadcast and media industry.

Sammy Forson is a Ghanaian Award-winning broadcaster with Joy99.7 FM and has over 14 years on air experience, business manager for BET & MTV, VGMA Award winning Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie and CEO of both Aspire Music/Entertainment and Evolve by Sammy Forson.

Managing Director at the number 1 radio network in Kenya, 98.4 CAPITAL FM and Managing Director of one of the biggest music, media, entertainment broadcasters and networks in East Africa, Capital Group LTD East Africa. Somoina Kimojino, for the last 14yrs has been at the realm of Radio in Kenya as Programmes Director for Capital FM . She has successfully managed a number of talents and kept the brand innovative and alive as one of the leading stations in the region. A music enthusiast with a keen eye for talent, has built a great team of noteworthy shows and presenters.

Sammy has been in the marketing, digital, advertising and media industries for over 21 years and the Director and co-founder of Saracen OMD – one of East Africa’s largest independent media specialists agencies providing world class media planning and buying services to leading local and international clients across the sub-region and the biggest media agency in East Africa today. OMD, the global media advertising company of Omnicom in 2003 is arguably the world’s largest marketing communications network, with offices in over 80 countries.

Che Ulenga joined Katutura Community Radio in April 2006 with the stations youth show and since has grown amongst the nation’s most sought after radio personalities. She took the world of radio by storm, acting as a strong voice on Namibia’s most prominent radio stations breakfast shows and as a Master of Ceremonies (MC) at a string of Namibia’s most sophisticated events, both entertainment and corporate based.