Namibian hip-hop veteran Jericho has been at the center of controversy after LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia abruptly dropped him from their 45th anniversary lineup following pressure from their appointed Master of Ceremonies, NSK.
Jericho was one of the main performers invited to the celebration, but just a day before the event, he received an email from the organizers informing him that his slot had been cancelled. According to the message, NSK had refused to participate if Jericho remained on the bill, citing unresolved personal issues dating back to last year.
“Because we do not have time to secure another MC before the event, we are unfortunately unable to have you perform tomorrow,” read the correspondence addressed to Jericho.
This decision drew sharp criticism from fans and fellow media personalities, who accused LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia of sidelining Jericho in favor of NSK. NBC presenter Pombili Shilongo immediately offered to MC the event free of charge if Jericho was reinstated, saying:
“Dear LifeLine Namibia, I’m willing to host your event free of charge — yes, completely free — on the condition that Jericho is added back to the lineup.” Pombili posted
Following the backlash, LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia issued a public statement attempting to clarify its stance. In the statement, the organization acknowledged the dispute between the two artists but insisted on maintaining neutrality by distancing itself from both Jericho and NSK.
“Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that the two parties are currently unable to work together due to a personal dispute that lies outside the scope of our operations… We made the necessary decision to distance ourselves from both NSK and Jericho in the context of our anniversary celebration,” the statement read.
Critics argue, however, that the organization’s decision still disproportionately affects Jericho, who had committed to perform in support of the cause. For many, removing both parties was a face-saving exercise that did not undo the initial injustice of cutting Jericho from the program at NSK’s insistence.
The incident has sparked debate over fairness, professionalism, and the role of personal disagreements in public events. Many supporters believe Jericho, as one of Namibia’s most influential hip-hop figures, deserved better treatment and that the handling of the dispute undermined the celebratory spirit of LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia’s milestone.
Despite being excluded, Jericho continues to receive widespread backing from his fan base and media colleagues, reinforcing his position as a respected voice in Namibian music and culture.
