One cannot celebrate Namibian independence without celebrating radio. Radio was the primary source of information in the era of apartheid and went on to become an impeccable source of information in Namibia post-apartheid.
Looking at 30 years of independence brings back some bitter memories of where we once where. The Namibian community relied heavily on radio to get updates on current affairs in a war-torn Namibia. The one bittersweet moment one can recount is getting the news that Sam Nujoma was to be sworn in as Namibia’s first president of an independent nation. The atmosphere was charged with celebration, as people gathered around a radio, to get updates on what was happening in the capital city Windhoek. Namibia was to be free at last.
Looking back at the journey Namibian radio has taken over the past 30 years, there is much to celebrate. We must commemorate stations such as Voice of Namibia, that acted as a political mouthpiece for the Namibian people with personalities such as Doreen Sioka and Kazenambo Kazenambo. They paved the way for Namibian radio. Today, 60% of Namibians form a part of the rural population and the majority still use radio as their source of information. Radio remains an integrated part of the media landscape to disseminate information, create a platform that educates on global issues, current affairs and real-life living.
Recently, there has been a formulation of Namibia Future Media Holdings which houses four radio stations. This is to ensure that information is tailored for a diverse audience. When you have four radio stations that fall under one banner, with a combined age of 53 years between them, you know that you are looking at the future of radio in Namibia. To have a diverse family of radio stations that spreads across every demographic in Namibia is no small feat.
Namibia Future Media is home to Fresh FM, Omulunga Radio, Jacc FM and Radiowave. The Future Media family of radio stations has a diversity of personalities. Fresh FM is the young adult who is working towards graduating, and is incredibly opinionated and very set in keeping up with modern trends.
Radiowave is the young professional who still cannot wrap their head around why on earth medical aid is so expensive, never mind trying to figure out how to become a home owner in this economy.
Omulunga Radio is the entrepreneur who is figuring out how to grow their business and create a network of like-minded business associates.
Jacc FM is the special child who speaks their mind and minds their business. The diversity is plenty, and the demographical reach is huge.
With so much diversity of personalities and platforms in radio, there remains great opportunity for career growth. Radio provides platforms to be an on-air personality, a salesperson, a station manager, a marketing executive, a human resources manager, etc.
In addition, due to the diversity in language, dialect does not provide a barrier, because one can be Oshiwambo or Afrikaans-speaking, and that alone puts you in a position to start a career in radio. The radio industry continues to give both in information and career opportunities.
Looking back, it has come a long way and there remains great opportunity looking forward. ◆