What do the late pop star Michael Jackson and the late George Weston have in common besides their lateness?
One cannot help but ask. Artist Hangula Werner Photography comes the answer. Mastermind of the just launched Michael Jackson at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC) Gallery. None other than the wish of George Weston, the exhibition is showcasing Mike’s May 1998 visit to Namibia in original photographs, poster and classic canvas prints with various recognisable Namibian faces with music by the all times pop diva at the gallery at the same time.
According to Werner the exhibition was late Weston’s wish to pay tribute to the late King of Pop. He has been keeping the collection for many years and seeing faces he knows and that he doesn’t and didn’t want to keep pictures of for the rest of his life. “Eighteen years later, the guy has died, he is a legend, showcasing his picture is the way of paying tribute to what he has done and give those who got an opportunity to be pictured with him get their collection. Own your picture of you with Michael Jackson because it will never happen again,” says Werner.
Because he has so many pictures, after the exhibition he will open a Facebook view page where people will be able to view and discover their pictures with Michael Jackson and get them from him if they want them. “At the Facebook page the nation can only view the photo but they will not be able to print them from there,” says Werner.
The Pop icon Michael Jackson joined African leaders in Namibia in 1998 in a call for debt relief urging a new era for the world’s poorest region, especially the children. The exhibition at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) ends today.
If you were or still are a fan of the Pop icon then this is the chance for you to take a walk in the past and go have a look to purchase a portrait or two of Jackson and have it as your own souvenir.
Portraits of the late Pop icon Michael Jackson’s visit to Namibia will be showcased and sold as a form of tribute to the singing hero, at the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre’s gallery for four consecutive days from the 21June. Jackson who passed away in 2009 visited Namibia in 1998.
The Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) will exhibit exclusive behind the scene photos of Jackson’s historical visit to Namibia. During this visit he joined African leaders in a call for debt relief and advocated the start of a new era for the world’s poorest region, especially for its children, while addressing the World Economic Forum’s 8th Southern Africa economic summit.
He said, he and his then partner (Barden International) would look for global investments to bring economic empowerment to people and to enrich children. Jackson met with top ranking officials like the Founding Father, HE Sam Nujoma, the then Prime Minister, Right Honourable Hage Geingob,Mr Theo Ben Gurirab and several business tycoons during the 1998 visit.
Despite Jackson’s fame as a singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and an actor, he had a soft spot for children and wanted to make the world a better place for them.
Jackson often stated that he was against the fact that they are mistreated and abused in various ways probably because he claimed that his father emotionally and physically abused him when he was a child. He also declared that he would donate funds to make the world a better place for them. ‘’We are going to put our money where our mouths are’’ said Jackson.
“Michael Jackson deserves to be acknowledged as a legend because he will never be forgotten” said an unwavering Windhoek supporter upon hearing the news of the planned auction.
