Technology and Information

Namibia's digital and creative economy
Namibia’s growing creative and technology sectors are offering new career pathways across media, software development, design and digital services, driven by innovation, self-learning and expanding digital infrastructure.
Marina Antonio

Tuli Shipanga - Creative Director and filmmaker 

Tuli is a multifaceted creative director and filmmaker who is dedicated to authentic African storytelling. Despite a foundation in Computer Science, Tuli’s career was ignited in 2015 by a single purchase: a Nikon D3100. Today, Tuli’s daily work spans television production, brand communication, and cultural strategy. Whether directing on location or mentoring emerging talent, the focus remains on high-impact visual media. While balancing creative vision with business logistics presents a challenge, the reward lies in seeing concepts evolve into powerful cultural artefacts. Tuli continues to bridge industries, currently pursuing an Honours in Commerce to further professionalise the creative sector.


Raimo Dengeinge - Junior Full Stack Software Developer 

Raimo is a junior full-stack software developer specialising in web applications that streamline organisational workflows. Currently a third-year student at the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST), Raimo balances his studies in Software Engineering with professional development. His daily work involves both technical logic and creative interface design, ensuring systems are as visually appealing as they are functional. Driven by the constant evolution of technology, Raimo values the power of mentorship and hands-on projects. For aspiring developers, he recommends focusing on Mathematics and Science to build the analytical foundation necessary for success in this innovative field.

 

Gottrieb Nambahu - Archivist 

Gottrieb is an archivist at Network Media Hub (NMH), where he serves as a guardian of historical information for the Republikein, Allgemeine Zeitung, and Namibian Sun newspapers. Holding an Honours degree in Records and Archives Management from the University of Namibia, Gottrieb ensures that both physical and digital content remains accessible for future generations. His daily work involves the meticulous organisation and dissemination of data to maintain a traceable sequence of national events. While the role requires immense focus and the ability to classify complex information, Gottrieb finds excitement in educating others about the importance of preservation. For those interested in this path, he emphasises the importance of History and English, advising young people to choose careers that align with their natural character rather than just financial gain.


Gabriel Ntelamo - Photographer and Multimedia Practitioner 

Gabriel Ntelamo is a photographer and multimedia practitioner at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, as well as the founder of Milan Media. Specialising in photography, videography, and drone content, Gabriel develops creative concepts that help organisations communicate effectively with the public. While he studied Marketing, Gabriel’s career grew from a personal passion into a professional pursuit through independent learning and an Erasmus exchange programme in Germany. Today, he balances university event coverage with social projects, such as his cancer awareness documentary, Student Life Susanna. For Gabriel, media is a tool for social impact. Although he faces the challenges of tight deadlines and high professional standards, he finds excitement in travelling and bringing visions to life. He advises young creatives to focus on communication and digital literacy, urging them to start small and align their career with their true purpose.


Mario van Wyk - Software and Hardware Technician

Mario serves as a software and hardware technician at InTouch, playing a vital role in maintaining the country's digital and financial infrastructure. His work is primarily hands-on, involving the servicing and maintenance of vending machines for major entities such as MTC, Standard Bank, Bank Windhoek and Erongo RED. Mario’s journey began with an internship at InTouch after studying Network and System Administration at Lingua. His performance led to a permanent position, where he now handles everything from hardware repairs to the installation of IQMS software. The most exhilarating aspect of his role is the unpredictability of field installations, though this also presents his greatest challenge. For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Mario recommends pursuing N+, A+, and CCNA/CCNP certifications, noting that programming skills are a significant bonus. His advice is simple: Ensure you have a genuine passion for the field, as it requires commitment to the ever-evolving world of technology.


Kelly van Wyk - Senior Collator

Kelly is a senior collator, a vital link in the newspaper distribution chain. Her primary responsibility involves the manual assembly of publications, specifically inserting supplements into printed newspapers and ensuring accurate counts for distribution.

Kelly’s path to her current role is a testament to perseverance; she worked as a casual employee for four years before earning her permanent position. Her daily tasks require high levels of concentration and geographical knowledge, as she must be familiar with the various destinations where the newspapers are sent to ensure they reach the correct readers.

While the role is a continuous learning curve that doesn't require specific prior technical skills, Kelly says that success depends on focus and attention to detail. Her advice for anyone entering the field is to remain observant and dedicated to accuracy, ensuring that every task is performed correctly from the start.


Varde Daniel - Software Engineer

Varde is a Software Engineer at the GIPF, where he designs and maintains systems that drive business efficiency. His daily work is a blend of programming, database management, and API integrations to build robust digital solutions.

Varde’s professional foundation was built at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, where he specialised in Software Development. Driven by a lifelong passion for innovation, he transitioned from experimenting with small projects to developing large-scale functional systems through hands-on experience.

While the fast-paced nature of the industry and complex troubleshooting present constant challenges, Varde finds deep satisfaction in seeing his ideas become impactful realities. He advises aspiring software engineers to prioritise Mathematics and logical thinking, emphasising that the profession is less about coding and more about the persistence to solve real-world problems. His message to young people is to remain curious and disciplined, as success comes from a willingness to grow.


Xandri Schoeman - Media and content coordination

Xandri is a professional in the media and content coordination field. Her daily work is a dynamic mix of managing social media schedules, coordinating advertising material, and assisting with promotional campaigns. She also applies her artistic side to small creative design projects to help businesses share their stories effectively.

Xandri’s career path was not a traditional "straight road". She built her expertise through practical experience, online learning, and workplace training in media and digital content management. Her journey began by mastering social media platforms and gradually taking on more responsibilities, such as post scheduling and page management.

The most rewarding part of her role is watching creative concepts evolve into successful campaigns that resonate with an audience. Because the digital landscape shifts rapidly, she emphasises that continuous learning is a vital skill. For those looking to enter the industry, Xandri recommends focusing on communication, writing, and computer literacy while remaining open to discovering passions through unexpected opportunities.


Jonathan van Zyl - Newspaper Design

Jonathan is a specialist in newspaper design, where he balances the roles of editor and layout artist. His work involves formulating news articles and strategically placing stories, advertisements and visuals to create a product that is both informative and aesthetically pleasing.

Jonathan holds a degree from AFDA in Cape Town, where he studied Motion Picture Medium with a specialisation in Editing and Visual Effects (VFX). His journey into the media world began with self-taught creative skills and photography, which helped him develop a keen eye for visual storytelling and presentation. This love of live media and creative communication continues to drive his passion for bringing stories to life.

While he finds excitement in creating unique advertisement designs and engaging layouts, the role comes with the pressure of tight deadlines and the need for absolute accuracy. He encourages learners to focus on writing, mathematics and IT, while also mastering software such as Microsoft Office and design programmes. Jonathan’s advice to young people is to explore their passions, even suggesting a gap year to gain the experience needed to guide their future paths.


Cobie Bok - Product Designer

Cobie is a product designer at the Namibia Technical Grid. His specialised role focuses on “preflight” - a technical process in which he verifies that colour profiles for all advertisements, whether created in-house or by clients, are properly optimised for the printing press.

Cobie’s journey began at the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), where he studied Desktop Publishing. His career was inspired by a fascination with abstract art and the creative challenge of digitising physical artwork from paper to computer. He entered the industry as a junior graphic designer before moving into editorial graphic design.

While he finds great joy in building a healthy team environment, Cobie notes that the most challenging aspect of his job is technical education: guiding clients via phone and email to ensure their files meet the high-quality standards required for print.

For students interested in this field, he recommends focusing on arts, computer science, basic mathematics and multiple languages.

Cobie’s philosophy is simple: find your passion to create a career that never feels like “work”, and remember that the only true competition is with yourself.

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-29

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