Namibia: Ras Sheehama to play At Home With Goethe gig

The event is part of the At Home With Goethe series, which is designed to transform the homes of local artists into mini studios and give them a platform to discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series has so far featured Big Ben, Suzy Eises & Imm’s Nicolau, The Ell's and Sean K, Lize Ehlers & Loft, and Mel Mwevi.

Sheehama will be supported by Rodrigue Fingers on guitar, Ray on bass, Kali on keys, Titus on drums, and Onai.

“I am an entertainer and I will be using a full band to make the audience feel like they are definitely there with me,” Ras Sheehama, who has been on the local music scene since Namibia’s independence in 1990, said.

Before that, he was in exile in Angola, Zambia and Nigeria, where the local musical cultures influenced his sound.

“The culture in Nigeria broadened my horizon musically. We need more live musicians and I feel the authenticity of Namibia’s music has not really been showcased and promoted to a level at which it is recognisable. Yes, life evolves and we are now dealing with different issues than we did 30 years ago, but I am still a rebel who writes about what I see around me.”

Commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic, he said: “My advice to others in the creative industry is that determination will take you to the right people, who will take you to the right places at the right time.”

Ellen Gölz from the German embassy in Windhoek said the vision behind the event was centred on enabling artists to maintain relations with their fans.

“At the German embassy, we are delighted to be able to support another online concert, especially during these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting arts and culture around the world is a central pillar of the German foreign cultural policy. This initiative allows us to be part of live music and chat with the artists from our living rooms,” Gölz said.