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The 2005 Ngoma Awards ceremonies were a DISGRACE to the art industry of Zambia; it was quite an embarrassment for a 41 year-old country.
Really, those in office have a lot to learn about better managing a show of that magnitude. You mean to say that Zambia cannot get a helping hand from the organizers of the Kora in South Africa?
First, the Venue: This place is too small for an occasion of this magnitude (or maybe it was made small by poor planning?) The performing artists (musicians) should have had the chance to showcase themselves on stage with a LIVE band. The band was there, but it was hidden. Is it that Mulungushi is the only place that can host the show? I know there are other places, better than what there was this year. Whoever was doing the staging has a lot to learn. The setup was so poor – it is not right to be in a circle when you cannot fully capture the audience. This was made worse by the MCs when they had to apologize for not being able to face the entire audience.
I was watching the show on ZNBC TV. From here I could see that the place was much darker than it should be. It was smoky, though I doubt if that is what was intended (or was it?) Everything that was said was echoing and accompanied by ambient noise. The MCs just disappeared without letting the viewers know what they should expect next or trying to keep them busy and entertained.
I was expecting the National Anthem to be National. The way it was sung did not make it national. It was an art gathering for goodness' sake. Where was the art? Where were the exhibitions for the works that were nominated and later awarded?
The Zimbabwean comedian, Edgar, was very good. But, poor him, he had to hold the microphone on his own and do the dressing at the same time while talking. Couldn't the organizers get some lapel mics to make it easier for communication and audibility?
As Kelvin Kanchingwe (DeKatch) said, "It actually looks like the Ngoma Awards have a long way to go before they can be considered as the true reflection of excellency in the arts. Music especially."
One would think that the organizers had no money for the event. With CELTEL (http://www.zm.celtel.com/en/about-us/news/news-article-15/index.html) pumping in K250 million, how could anything possibly go wrong? That was just one company; how about the other companies' contributions to the event?
The winners were given a shameful K1,500,000. Some would say, "that's a lot of money when you did not expect it," but I would say it was a booby prize. The Ngoma Awards, with a budget of over a quarter-billion kwacha, could not give away cash prizes totalling any more than K50 million? Cash is not even so much of essence on such occasions – people need trophies.
I believe the New Deal Government also pumped in some money. Now, government or donors should not be asked to pump in money to renovate the Mulungushi Conference Centre for the purpose of holding such functions – a purposely designed auditorium should be built to serve for such important occasions. We need an art auditorium in this country. This would also enable the country host international art festivals, renowned musicians, and would offer better entertainment to the loving peoples of Zambia. Something should really be done.
An exclusive music award ceremony should be introduced which would cater to all the
provinces in the country and the many different facets of the art. Zambian music cannot be singularly defined; a country with 73 local dialects, 72 districts and nine provinces should offer something better to all, perhaps a prize for best group in each province.
Why did Lily T have to make most of the performance at the show? Too many questions to be asked but who is going to give me and others the answers?
The award that went to Muvi Studios came as a shock to me. Muvi Studios? Are they still in the production business, and even when they still are, how active have they been? How've their relationships been with the musicians, other recording companies? What criteria was used there? Surely you cannot say Muvi Studios has done better than Chikuni Radio.
Someone should answer me on this. Chikuni Radio has produced 35 albums since it was established in 2000. The profits are shared 50/50 between the station and the artists. It has hosted the annual Tonga Music festival, featuring a record performance of 109 bands/groups in 2005. The station records music free for local artists, plays it to a mass audience and pays the royalties to them. Chikuni Radio has also helped other artists in the honest and professional mass production of tapes and CDs at very reasonable prices and conditions. Maybe some years ago Muvi could have got this award, but not now.
There was no preparation for live transmission of the event. All we could see were adverts running for 11 minutes when there was an announced 5 minute break. The speeches were recorded and of VERY poor quality. Zambia is among the pioneers in broadcasting in this region, but it is shameful that it is the least developed.
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Matongo Maumbi
Matongo Maumbi aka Afromatrix, is a producer at Radio Chikuni in southern rural Zambia on 91.8fm. I have been a practicing journalist since 2000 and ICTs for development in rural areas and youth related issues have been of particular interest. I have an interest in writing, and when I do it's a good piece. I believe that sharing such information with a wider group can enhance good growth on my part in Chikuni and the other parts of the world.
I am male and 24 years old, single and hope to marry the girl I have intimate emotions with.
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