Namibian vocalist Esmé Songbird has voiced her disappointment following her participation at the 2025 Windhoek Jazz Festival, highlighting serious concerns over event coordination, time management, and artist treatment.
Taking to social media after the event, Esmé shared that her scheduled performance slot was significantly delayed — forcing her to perform at around 1:45 AM.
“My heart is in pieces. Despite all the excitement and preparation, the Windhoek Jazz Festival didn’t unfold as expected. My slot was delayed until quarter to 2AM,” she stated.
Concerned about the safety and comfort of fans who stayed late, she opted to join fellow musician Bongani Soul for a collaborative performance to avoid further delays and disappointment for the audience.
“We collaborated and freestyled for the sake of love for what we do… Artists deserve better. Respect our time, our craft, and our contributions,” she added.
Esmé emphasized that what was meant to be a celebration of jazz and culture became an emotional and exhausting ordeal marked by waiting, uncertainty, and disorganization.
Kelly Khumalo Also Affected
Esmé’s concerns were not isolated. South African star Kelly Khumalo was also seen visibly unhappy during her set. According to attendees, she appeared frustrated after not receiving the correct beat and sound setup she expected.
Khumalo, who maintains high performance standards, reportedly addressed the issue on stage, saying:
“You did not call me for this.”
Her reaction further amplified concerns regarding technical preparedness and event professionalism.
Call for Better Treatment of Artists
Esmé emphasized that her remarks were not an attack but a call for improvement in how artists both local and international are treated.
“Namibia has incredible talent, but it can’t grow if we keep being mistreated,” she noted. “This isn’t hate, it’s truth.”
Despite the setback, Esmé expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fans who stayed late to support her performance.
“I remain thankful for everyone who came out, stayed late, and showed love. Your energy carried me through.”
She assured supporters that she is recovering and looks forward to returning to the stage soon.
