Hilma Nalupe

Veteran journalist Roland Routh is retiring after a decades-long career that took him from the trade union press to some of Namibia’s biggest newsrooms, leaving behind a legacy of sharp court reporting and storytelling that entertained and informed readers.

Routh’s path to journalism began in an unlikely place; while working as a meat inspector at Meatco, he came across an advert for a journalism course offered through WUS Denmark at The Worker, the newspaper of the National Union of Namibian Workers. He applied, was accepted and trained under Djunior Sivandje. His reporting career later spanned The Namibian, Observer, Tender Bulletin and ultimately New Era, where he found his professional home.

Covering courts became one of his hallmarks, shaping his reputation as a meticulous and fearless reporter.

At New Era, where he spent the bulk of his career, Routh became part of the newsroom fabric, covering historic moments such as Johanna Benson’s Paralympic gold medal victory and the 2014 national elections. “From the first day I walked into the newsroom everybody made me feel part of the team,” he recalled.

Routh witnessed the industry’s evolution from typewriters and shorthand note-taking to today’s digital-first reporting, adapting every step of the way. 

Colleagues in the industry described him as both a competitor and a companion on the demanding court beat. The Namibian journalist Werner Menges remarked: “Roland Routh has been a valued colleague on the court beat for the past 13 years. Although he has also been my most formidable competitor in the field of court reporting, I have been fortunate to enjoy a friendly and collegial relationship with him over the years.”

Menges added that with his many years of experience, Roland has developed a flair for his subject matter and for presenting his articles often with an interesting and entertaining choice of words. “He will leave a noticeable gap on the scene,” Menges said.

As he steps away from the newsroom, Routh is not slowing down, choosing to continue working in another sphere. His legacy, however, remains firmly in print. A testament to his commitment to truth, ethics and the craft of storytelling. -hilmanalupe@gmail.com