President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is backing the recent merger between MultiChoice and French media giant Canal+, saying the deal could reshape Africa’s media industry and create new opportunities for Namibian creatives.

During a meeting with MultiChoice senior management at State House yesterday, the Head of State emphasised the importance of purpose-driven partnerships and praised media companies for launching a project that highlights African narratives on the global media stage. 

“We are ready to share and contribute to highlighting African narratives, the way we see them as Africans and how the world perceives us through our own eyes,” she said. 

She highlighted the importance of the creative industry, describing it as a strategic sector with the potential to make a significant contribution to national development. 

She connected this to the government’s seven critical focus areas, two of which involve sports and the creative economy.

According to her, when the creative industry is properly developed, it can help shape the national narrative and create economic value. 

She also pointed out that the media plays a key role in highlighting local innovation and talent.

The President was briefed on how the partnership plans to expand African storytelling, increase local content production and provide young people access to global platforms.

The meeting also highlighted how the partnership could enhance African storytelling, generate opportunities for young people and strengthen the creative sector in Namibia.

Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the company’s vision aligns with her long-held belief that African stories must be told by Africans from an African perspective. 

She said this is the only way content can accurately reflect reality and support the continent’s social and economic development. 

CEO of Multichoice Namibia Roger Kerzer said the merger would create new opportunities for Namibia’s creative industry and align with the President’s priorities.

“Her Excellency is extremely excited because it really plays into what she wants to see for the young people in this country and for the creative industry,” he said after the briefing.

He explained that the partnership between Canal+ and MultiChoice is expected to expand African content on international platforms, giving creators more chances to share their work. 

He emphasised that the deal would enable Namibia to tell its own stories, showcase its landscapes and culture, and present its identity to the world.

“What we definitely know is that it will really bring a lot of opportunities,” Kerzer said 

-ljason@nepc.com.na