One of Namibia’s evergreen veteran journalists Menesia Muinjo, who covered late founding president Sam Nujoma’s presidency for over 14 years, has described the departed statesman’s professionalism, transparency, consistency and firmness as some of the factors that positively impacted local journalism.
With that assignment came new and testing responsibilities.
She and other journalists of that era had a special responsibility to narrate and advance the story of a new and independent Namibia, one that looked far and beyond racial and tribal lines.
Muinjo reflected that Nujoma was a visionary leader, who was at all material times clear of where he wanted the country to go in terms of national unity, progress and development.
He ensured that this was perfectly understood by the media as well. “He was a visionary leader, and always saw things beyond what others could not grasp. He talked about how Namibia needed to study its rich mineral resources and train its doctors long before these ideas became mainstream. He had an almost fatherly way of planting seeds for the future, even if not everyone understood him at the time,” recalled Muinjo.
On the international stage after independence, she was present on most occasions, watching the anti-apartheid icon advancing the Namibian and African agenda through his styled diplomatic engagements that were hallmarked by his cunning smile.
“He never got tired of telling Namibia’s story. He believed in our country’s potential, and he wanted the world to see it too,” she remarked.
Not only was Nujoma understanding of the many complexities of journalism, but he also respected the media and the rights of journalists, Muinjo added. “He believed in media freedom. He even allowed us on the presidential jet, sacrificing space meant for officials so that we could keep Namibians informed. That is something we really appreciated,” she stated.
Reflecting on her flourishing decades-long career, Muinjo said working with the late Nujoma at such a crucial time for Namibian journalism and the country’s democracy was both a privilege and a test of endurance.
“He worked tirelessly. As reporters, we had to match his pace. There were late-night meetings, early-morning flights and endless bilateral talks. We had to be there to tell the Namibian story. “Sometimes, there was barely time to eat or even file stories. But those moments taught me resilience and persistence. I’m proud of the work we did under his presidency,” the soft-spoken Muinjo proudly reminisced. -Adapted from NBC
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na