Rauna Shikomba-Nyorkor
The town of Otjiwarongo has welcomed the launch of Otji FM Radio, a commercial radio station that reports on local, national and international news.
They are dedicated to educating, informing and entertaining communities by providing a trusted and indispensable source of information, music and entertainment, while strengthening the civic and cultural life of the communities they serve.
The station has been in existence for close to seven years, with the option of live streaming only, before securing a broadcasting licence in December 2020.
They have been licensed to broadcast in the areas of Otjiwarongo, Otjinene, Keetmanshoop, Rundu and Gam – but currently, they only broadcast in Otjiwarongo (frequency 107.6), due to limited infrastructure. They hope to start broadcasting soon in the remaining three areas.
However, listeners across the country can live stream at Otjifm.com.
Otjiwarongo mayor Gotlieb Shivute expressed his joy over the launch of the radio station, saying radio plays a significant role in raising the voice, thoughts, problems and issues of people who do not have access to mainstream community and media.
“It is one of the most popular means of disseminating information,” he said.
The mayor commended the radio station for their continued efforts in contributing towards the socio-economic development in the town and empowering the community through providing the voice to the voiceless, employment creation for the youth and social initiatives.
Speaking at the same event was CEO for the Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia Emilia Nghikembua, who congratulated the radio station on achieving their broadcasting licence.
She explained that it is the radio station’s responsibility to ensure the content they broadcast reflects Namibian ideas, values, opinions, as well as the country’s artistic creativity by displaying the country’s cultures and entertainment through music, drama, series, news and documentaries.
“We hope that the station will achieve its mandate and deliver on its editorial content, programs and policies through robust dissemination of information, news and entertainment in order to positively contribute to the communities of Otjozondjupa,” said Nghikembua.