Open call: Namibia Annual Music Awards 2026/27 edition

The 11th edition of the awards will recognise achievements in Namibian music since 2020. The awards are being held under the leadership of the Namibian government, with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) involved in the programme.

The 2026/27 edition will feature approximately 38 award categories covering different genres, artistic disciplines and industry roles.

Key dates

• Official launch: 5 August 2026
• Submissions open: 10 August 2026
• Submission deadline: 11 September 2026 at 5pm
• Vetting and compliance checks: 11–21 September 2026
• Adjudication: 30 September–5 October 2026
• Auditing and finalisation of results: 29–30 November 2026
• Nominees announced: 4 December 2026
• Awards ceremony: 26 January 2027

Award categories

The entry categories include:

• Best Single
• Best Folklore Music Contribution
• Best Langarm Album
• Best Ma/Gaisa Album
• Best Oviritje Album
• Best Shambo Album
• Best Epera Album
• Best Sikokoshi Album
• Best Dance Music Album, covering House, Amapiano, Afro-Tech, Progressive House and EDM
• Best African Contemporary Album, covering Afro-fusion, Soukous/Kwasa Kwasa, Kwiku and Kizomba
• Best Urban Popular Music Album, covering Afro Pop, Afrobeats and Township Disco
• Best Kwaito Album
• Best Gospel Album
• Best R&B/Soul Album
• Best Rap/Hip Hop Album
• Best Reggae/Dancehall Album
• Best Jazz/Blues Album
• Best Rock/Alternative Album
• Best Instrumental Award
• Best Collaboration
• Best Choir Album
• Best Music Video
• Best Live Music Performance (Act)

Non-entry categories include:

• Most Streamed Song Award
• Most Radio Played Song Award
• Best Song
• Best Album Award
• Best Overall Artist(s) Award
• Best Newcomer Award
• Best Producer Award
• Best Duo/Group Award

The awards will also include special recognition categories for Lifetime Achievement, Music Development and International Achievement.

The public-vote category is Song of the Year (People’s Choice Award).

The five Premier Awards are:

• Best Overall Artist(s)
• Best Newcomer
• Best Duo/Group
• Best Album of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

How to enter

Artists can submit themselves for eligible categories at no cost. Entries should preferably be made through the NAMAs online submission dashboard.

Applicants must:

• Create a single online profile.
• Complete a separate entry for each category.
• Provide all mandatory information and supporting documents.
• Submit supporting documents in PDF format.
• Ensure all information and documents are accurate and complete.

Entries may be submitted by the artist or an authorised representative, such as a manager, record label or agent. The artist must give consent for the submission and remains responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.

The submission deadline is 11 September 2026 at 5pm. Entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Physical submissions

Physical applications may be accommodated for artists who do not have access to digital submission facilities.

Each physical submission must be placed in a sealed envelope and include:

• A completed application form.
• All required supporting documents.
• A clearly labelled USB containing the submission material.

Artists entering more than one category must submit a separate application form and USB folder for each category.

The physical submission envelope must include:

• Legal full name
• Artist or professional name, where applicable
• Region
• Email address
• Telephone number

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all documents and files are complete, legible and correctly labelled.

The NAMAs will not accept submissions by email or WhatsApp. Only USB flash drives will be accepted for physical submissions; CDs, external hard drives and other storage devices will not be accepted.

Late, incomplete, unsigned, illegible, incorrectly labelled or improperly sealed physical submissions may be disqualified. Physical submissions and USB drives will not be returned.

Artists submitting physical entries must also sign the submission register at the designated submission office when delivering their application.

The NAMAs advise applicants to submit their entries well before the deadline and to ensure that all required materials are included before submission.

Read more about the NAMAs forms and documents here.

View the original call here.