You may know her as the eloquent, smooth-voiced NBC TV news anchor from yesteryears but Menesia Muinjo’s other unknown side is the love for poetry and writing poems in Oshiwambo, something she has been doing since the ’80s and early ’90s.
She has written some stories then and keeps on delaying publishing her work hence she feels she has disappointed Paavo Pea who saw her work and encouraged her to polish and have them published.
“But I will do him proud one day as he inspired me to develop that trade further. I love reciting those Oshiwambo-language-rich poems too. I have also written a few in English.” Muinjo is the current Chief of News and Programming Officer at the national broadcaster.
She was born Menesia Ndamononghenda (Ndamona) Nghuumbupedu Samuehls some 50 something years ago. Some people call her Menee but the nickname called by her siblings and others is Moo- pronounced “more” from the name Ndamona.
FAMILY IS EVERYTHING
Menesia is married to Benedictus Kapangurua Muinjo, also known as Oom Ben. “He is known as Baby Muinjo, Tate Baby since our dating years. That was in the ’80s.” “I have two boys who some refer to as twins, but they are not, although they are about the same age. I have two biological children, the late ChiChi (The Amazing Girl) Nancy Vevangaune Kokuuakupi Muinjo who was my firstborn and Sir Clint (Clinton Fluksman Kapangurua Muinjo) – my last born.” She added: “But Tate Baby (Oom Ben) and I are raising one other fine young gentleman, who loves to play rugby, Kevin Ipuleni Magnus Kadhila (Kadicks) whom I refer to as Tendai from his home name Katenda. Kevin or Kev as we also call him is my younger sister’s biological son but he has been with us since kindergarten days. He is busy with his IT studies.”
DID YOU KNOW?
For a person who has lived all her life and being in the media, Muinjo is quite shy. “I am shy and would prefer to rather remain indoors and not mingle a lot. It’s only my work that has made me be in the public and be up-close, direct and personal via television news presentation – or related appearances and radio programming. It’s the only work that gives me the courage to stand in front of a crowd.”
FAVOURITE PAST TIME
She eats, dreams, wakes-up and lives news. “I am intoxicated by news both local and international. I hardly have a boring moment because there is so much happening globally. Its breaking news at all times in various content genres, day and night. When I break-away from news, I am on my Facebook page and related social media platforms – but again, that is news-bound.” She said the life of a journalist cannot be without being abreast of the happenings, at home and abroad. “My Journalism world has no break or leave, I cannot hear or see news and say “I am on leave”. News is news whether you are on leave or not or at the office or home.”
AWAY FROM CITY LIFE
“Going to the village – at Upukos in the Otjimbingwe District – Erongo region brings back my nature-loving instincts. I thank my husband for having introduced me to this beautiful natural -part of being – Oresevate as some Namibians would call it.”
“When I am at Upukos, I enjoy the fresh, cool breeze and quietness – away from the city life. I wake up early to get a glimpse of the sunrise moments. I enjoy myself having such free and easy access to one of the natural world wonders. We may take this phenomenon for granted, but some countries whose weather patterns are different from ours may experience snow and misty conditions throughout the year which means people there and especially children may not have an opportunity to witness those beautiful colours and sun rays that result from that scientific process.” She said her typical day at Upukos include setting time aside to go see the livestock in the kraal in the morning before they are taken for grazing and that means listening to the sound of goats bleating.
“Listen to the birds chirping throughout from nearby trees at home, some of them end up at our bedroom windows – having fun of their reflection from the window glasses. During the early evening, I enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sunset from our home view in the yard, of course in the company of Oom Ben. I also go climb some hills and trees – and walk along the river and the view there is so untold.”
THIRST QUENCHER
“I have not yet tasted alcohol in my life. For some reason, I am yet to find that cool. I have no issues sticking around with colleagues and friends unwinding after a hectic day enjoying with their favourite drinks I go for my juices and ales like Ginger Ale, Dry Lemon and water as well as take my ice cream if necessary and have fun. Off- late and mainly because of the Covid-19, I have added what I call an “All Weathers Fresh Herbs Drinkie”. And of course, I do take coffee and tea occasionally.” She hasn’t put her mind on a favourite meal and can’t pinpoint anything specific. “I honestly sometimes don’t know what my favourite meal is, or what I love to eat that makes me feel great. Being a Namibian and Upukos based– braaied meat and fresh quality meat-free of chemicals with Oruhere (porridge) has been a staple meal. Oom Ben had always ensured that we had a fresh goat or sheep meat (mutton) at home and braaing it on coal especially was normal for the family.”
Of late, she has been going back to her roots yearning for what her mother loved to prepare which is Evanda/Ombidi, mainly the dried type with Omahangu porridge. “I am also tending to lean towards drinking Oshikundu which I fridge for coolness – which seems to beat any thirst. I prefer to brew Oshikundu myself so that I can drink it easily as it demands careful handling especially when it comes to cleanliness. The same with dried spinach, there is a lot of rinsing of that Ombidi before cooking it and then the general preparation of cooking ingredients especially Omanyoto (tomatoes) nOmaadi (cooking oil or butter).”
AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK
“I go to the “Pink room” in the house – just to put my bag down and change into house wear – and then go to the lounge to rest a bit before I go to my “selfies-taking-spot” in the house also in the kitchen-veranda area where I usually take some pictures I post on my Facebook page – with a caption (after a hectic day at work). I usually listen to the birds chirping while at that spot and just let my hair down before some calls reach me for work – even if it is after hours. I watch the news a lot and chat with Oom-Ben and the boys before we call it a night. Personal or silent prayers – morning and night – are part of me – as I thank the Creator who has made me in His image and for who I am today.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na