Windhoek
Newly appointed Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) director general Stanley Similo is unfazed by the so-called “hot seat” he has just taken over, as he vowed to, among others, help bring more local content on NBC TV.
Similo, who inked a five-year employment contract yesterday, said that among his immediate priorities are to ensure more local programmes are broadcast on NBC TV and that less money be spent on buying foreign content. Hence, he urged the creative team responsible for programmes to plan and see how they will go about realising his vision.
His views about local content would certainly encourage local producers of TV programmes, who for years have complained that their work picks up dust because of a reluctance by the NBC and other TV stations to support their endeavours.
Additionally, he also wants to forge close links with tertiary institutions such as the University of Namibia, Polytechnic of Namibia and College of the Arts to see how they can assist to improve local content, while calling on his team to always work hard.
“If I don’t perform and you come with impeccable evidence, then you must dismiss me because I am wasting your money. It’s a matter of principal I put forward. I am saying that at the NBC the buck stops with me, but equally the same pressure I am getting from the board of directors will come down on everyone in NBC. Productivity and a high level of performance will have to become a norm.”
Regarding employee salaries, he said: “If I do good work, whoever is responsible will be able to see it and money will chase me.”
He also promised to engage the Namibian Public Workers Union (Napwu), to keep them abreast of changes at the corporation.
NBC board chairperson Sven Thieme, who welcomed Similo to the national broadcaster yesterday, said they have achieved a lot over the past five years and managed to bring stability to the corporation.
He noted that they target to raise about N$250 million in revenue this financial year.
“We have to generate our own revenue to inspire a growing nation. Stanley, I wish you the best of luck. We will be behind you to lead the organisation to greater heights.”
Similo said the national broadcaster is challenged by inadequate funding, although he applauded the team under the helm of former DG Albertus Aochamub for not only beating the SADC target of 67 percent population coverage, but managing 70 percent, which is higher than the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation.
Regarding digital terrestrial television (DTT), he said they have sold over 60 000 decoders.
“Today people can listen to radio stations irrespective of where they are because of that technology. On the television side, it has created new opportunities because now we have channels which appear good on face value, but also present a challenge in terms of local content. The cost, when looking at our perks has been a challenge even before the advent of DTT and this brings budgetary constraints.”
NBC currently has seven channels on its DTT bouquet with more channels to follow.