Musa Zimunya
15 June 2011
Windhoek — Two weeks after the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), the controversy surrounding Lady May’s profanity on television continues to dominate public debate.
The night of the awards saw punitive measures being taken against Lady May by the Director-General of the NBC, Albertus Aochamub, and Tim Ekandjo, Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer of MTC.
Fast-forward and the drastic actions have sparked widespread debate on the topic of morality with some members of the public feeling that Lady May’s hard work that won her the award should be considered and not just her actions on that night.
The other side of the debate is that the punishment is indeed appropriate.
Aochamub reiterated the stage Namibia is at as far as nation-building is concerned and labelled it a critical one at that.
“Moral regeneration and revitalisation are critical building blocks at this stage. Anything that negates that drive will not be tolerated in the public media domain,” insisted the NBC boss.
“Every Namibian has a right to wholesome family entertainment on our TV and radio stations and it is a right we promise to jealously guard. Otherwise we wish Lady May well with her burgeoning career,” said Aochamub.
A final decision was made to welcome the artist’s apology to the nation. However, she will receive only a two-month ban on all her music on all NBC TV and 10 radio stations until August 4.
Ekandjo on the other hand indicated that the NAMAs are founded on the principles of respect, professionalism and ethical principles.
“These are principles that we share with all our co-sponsors and that is why they came on board. They have entrusted us to uphold these principles on their behalf.
These are the same principles we shared with all the nominees in a Nominee Workshop where we spelled out all the rules and what is expected from them (nominees),” stated Ekandjo.
A press statement by the NAMAs Executive Committee highlighted that all the nominees were taken through intense rehearsals and therefore they knew exactly what was expected of them, suggesting there was no excuse for Lady May’s behaviour “as this is in breach of what we have advocated and will continue to advocate to all artists to personalise the music industry”.
Ekandjo issued an ultimatum – artists have to know and understand that bad behaviour will not be tolerated and if any of them had intent on doing the same in the future, there would be serious consequences.
Therefore, the decision to strip Lady May of her award and prize money remains and is not debatable.
Her punishment will exclude her participation in the 2012 NAMAs. Meanwhile, any further participation is “subject to proof that she has rehabilitated herself as far as her behaviour is concerned”.
Nevertheless, Ekandjo explained that rehabilitation does not suggest Lady May was on drugs or alcohol, but rather the verbal abuse she displayed on the night.
“Of paramount importance is that these measures are not directed at Lady May as an individual, but at her actions which we believe can be rehabilitated.”
Speaking on the damage done to the reputation of the NAMAs, Ekandjo reminisced on the verbal abuse by Lady May, and that even though she had apologised, there is a need to restore the reputation.
He also commented on the fact that sponsors would not be willing to be associated with events where bad behaviour is displayed.
The past week has seen various personalities criticizing the decision, calling MTC hypocrites while blaming both MTC and NBC for what happened.
“Some even called us morality watchdogs while some blamed the NBC for not having time delays, forgetting that we had a live audience in the venue as well. We respect their opinions. For a very long time, our artists have been suffering while working very hard. Now that the corporate world have decided to back them, all they demand is the same professionalism they naturally demand in their respective companies.
“It is now suddenly too much to ask. At the end of the day, when all these sponsors withdraw, the biggest losers will be our artists and we will be back to square one.
We will therefore defend our artists’ collective interests.
“The Organising Committee would like to express their satisfaction with the professional manner all artists displayed at the NAMAs and encourage them to continue doing so in future events.”
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Lady May Namas Storm Rages On