Pinehas K Pinehas
Monika Mercoto, a passionate media enthusiast, first showcased her remarkable talent in high school when she wrote her debut television show, The Notebook. Her deep and unwavering love for storytelling has only grown since then. In a recent interview with New Era, Mercoto revealed that this early project eventually inspired the creation of her own production house, which proudly carries the same name.
“I want ‘The Notebook’ to be a platform where Namibian stories are told with integrity, quality, and relevance, contributing to the growth of a sustainable and professional creative industry,” she said.
Mercoto’s passion for media is a calling to create, inform, and inspire through multiple forms of storytelling. Her idea evolved as she spent more time in the media space.
“I realised that the idea could grow into something bigger, a full media house focusing not just on one show, but on storytelling through digital news, film, documentaries, and a variety of media formats. Essentially, The Notebook evolved from a high school diary concept into a creative hub for Namibian stories,” said Mercoto.
Her plan is to tell Namibian stories and make them our own. Mercoto has a plan, and sticking to it sounds like the glue keeping her closer to her goal. Whilst talking about her company’s future, Mercoto shared that although the company hasn’t officially launched yet, the vision remains clear.
“We haven’t officially launched yet. We’re in the process of stabilising operations and preparing for the right moment to enter the market. From the beginning, the vision has been to become one of Namibia’s leading digital storytelling platforms, a space where Namibian stories, whether through documentaries, news, or entertainment shows, are told in a way that is relatable, engaging, and youth-centred,” she explained.
In an era where women are increasingly encouraged to take up leadership positions and play key roles in society, one might wonder how Mercoto manages the challenges and personal growth that come with such responsibilities.
“Being a private, female-founded media company. It’s difficult to secure funding, gain recognition, and manage a team while maintaining consistent operations and content production. On a personal level, there are moments of self-doubt and exhaustion.
Despite these challenges, it has taught me perseverance, integrity, and passion . Essentially, learning, growing through failures, and leading with the goal of building a sustainable platform for young Namibian creator,” she narrated.
-ppinehas@nepc.com.na