Content creation is becoming a popular career path worldwide, and Namibia is no exception. From TikTok videos to YouTube tutorials, young Namibians are using social media to share their talents, educate others, and even promote local businesses.

Content creation is no longer just a hobby; it is a career. Around the globe, creators are earning money and building brands through platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Young people are talented, creative, and hungry to share their stories. But the question remains, are we giving them enough support to thrive in this industry?

Jamie-Lee Loss is a content creator who rose to fame after her videos of the song ‘Scared to get attached’ went viral. She said content creation is a lucrative business, and it can be an income.
“As a content creator, people view me differently. And sometimes people lose sight of the fact that a person online is a person offline, and as a person, I have lost my privacy. I can’t go out without being recognised,” she said.

Ever since she came into the limelight, she has been working with brands, and for the first time, she feels seen and recognised.
JLoss was nominated in four categories at the MTC Content Creators Awards slated for 29 November in Windhoek.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus says the ministry is working on a bill to monetise YouTube, as well as digital payment solutions such as PayPal and Apple Pay in Namibia, to empower local content.

“Indeed, the ministry is working very hard on the monetisation of social media platforms available in the country by engaging the various companies that offer such platforms. However, it is not through a Bill of Parliament,” she said.

She added that, should they succeed in the monetisation policies being available in Namibia, it will mean that content creators will easily earn money for the content they produce and place on the various social media platforms available in the country.

Engagements are ongoing, and they will keep the nation/content creators abreast as and when significant updates arise.

“As the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, we do truly believe that monetisation will ease the burden on the high unemployment rate amongst the youth who are the majority content creators in the country,” she said.

At the MTC Content Creators Awards nominees’ announcement, MTC Chief Human Capital, Corporate and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo said it’s important to note that for many content creators, creating content is more than just a passion; it is a career that most aspire to pursue full-time, bringing in a sustainable income. Global statistics also indicate that 63% of part-time content creators expect to go full-time within the next two to three years, while 42% have already made it their full-time job.

In addition, 61% of video content creators believe that being a content creator has become a more acceptable and respectable career.

“Just like any industry, the creative industry comes with its own challenges for content creators, such as limited brand budgets that make collaborations less frequent, access to quality equipment for creators, monetisation issues, and the lack of digital skills. Additionally, we need to guard against mental health issues given that this industry  consists  of  mostly  young people who are often under pressure to create paid content and take care of themselves and their families in a very competitive space,” he said.

“Nobody can do it better than MTC, and we will deliver just like we have delivered at so many other award ceremonies and events, taking them from ordinary to world class  brands because we recognise that the people who participate in them may be local but deserve world-class treatment and recognition.”

He continued: “And this is exactly why we have doubled the prize monies and tripled the overall budget of the event compared to last year, and ensure that the quality of this event becomes admirable and one where we roll out the blue carpet, recognise, celebrate, and inspire future content creators that will one day pay our salaries.”

Carlos Gurirab, a partner and organiser of the Namibian Content Creators Awards, said the awards were established to recognise and elevate Namibian digital content creators who are shaping conversations, showcasing culture, and influencing communities both locally and globally.

“This year’s overwhelming response reflects not only the dynamism of Namibia’s content creator landscape but also the rising recognition of digital storytelling as a driver of cultural and economic growth,” he said.

From lifestyle bloggers, travel vloggers, and gaming streamers to educators, comedians, and community advocates, the diversity of submissions underscores the rich talent pool within Namibia.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na