Windhoek — FNB took another bold step to reach out to emerging and established Namibian artists and musicians in the music industry, sponsoring N$21 500 to the Oruuano of Namibian Artists' Union in Windhoek yesterday.

The sponsorship will help the Oruuano of Namibian Artists' Union to hold a one-day workshop for Namibian artists, to take place on October 01 at the GZ Functions Hall at Dr W Kulz and Bismarck streets.

At the handing over ceremony yesterday FNB's Group Corporate Communications Manager, Cassius Moetie, said that his company saw the opportunity to assist Namibian artists to reach high levels of music production, on-and-off stage management, marketing, promotion, public relations, and very importantly to help artists build and jealously protect their individual reputation and brands.

"Namibia has produced a pool of good artists, but only a handful have made strides and achieved accolades, locally and internationally, in this competitive industry. FNB's humble sponsorship wishes to bring all artists together, especially the up-and-coming ones to be informed by the successful ones such as Gazza, The Dogg and the Gal Level's of this world on what made them so successful in the Namibian and international music industry," Moetie said.

He added that the workshop will, amongst other issues, discuss the rights of artists, copyright, royalties and some business skills which FNB wants Namibian artists to gain to develop them as vibrant SMEs and transform later into prominent artists to generate huge profits from their music careers. "This is in line with our new and aggressive business approach we have adopted in FNB to do business in a highly unusual manner," he said.

Receiving the FNB sponsorship was Banana Shekupe, president of the Oruuano of Namibian Artists' Union.

"The artists workshop is long overdue. We see how Namibian artists are exploited by Namibians who like to see our artists on stage, but are reluctant to pay them for their services. We will mobilise all our members and non-members to open their bank accounts with FNB as the People's Bank, that through this sponsorship reached out to artists to offer assistance with its 'How can we help you?' approach."

He said that all artists are welcome to the artists' workshop which will help them unleash their potential to reach higher levels of their music careers.

Following the latest incident where Namibian artist, the late YT, killed his girlfriend and committed suicide, Shekupe expressed his sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and called upon Namibian artists not to repeat what happened last week.

A religious service will by held this Thursday at the UN Plaza for the late YT de Wet.