It's a girl thing

Female sports journalism has been historically rare since many of sport codes were played, covered and 'understood' by men for many years.

Sport is historically a male domain.

This was not because women lacked an understanding of sport, but cultural and mythical barriers prevented them from getting involved.

However, as the years have gone by and the world is advancing and equal rights agendas have been introduced, some of those cultural norms and values that trampled on these rights have consequently bitten the dust.

This has led to the emergence of women sports journalists who are competing shoulder-to-shoulder with male sports journalists around the world.

Namibia has been no different from the rest of the world and it has been difficult for women to break through the sports journalism industry for centuries.

Many women prefer choosing arts, politics, social and business reporting rather than sports reporting.

However, two out of a paltry four women sports journalists in Namibia, Kaino Nghitongo and Katrina

//Gowases have already beat the odds.

They have made a brave step to kick the male dominance iron ball in sports journalism in the proverbial you-know-what and have proven their mettle by becoming stars in the industry.

As a sports journalist myself, I still question how they have managed to survive in an industry dominated by men.

My first guest would be my very own colleague and award-winning sports journalist Kaino Nghitongo.

A bit scheming and shy, Nghitongo softly said: “When I started doing journalism, I didn't know what beat I wanted to do.

“However, things changed when I was doing my internship at the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) in

2013.

“Nampa did not have a sport reporter at that time and so the editor asked me to do sport reporting.”

Just as many young women out there, the closest interest she had in sport was football.

“This means I knew what was happening in football and I did not find it a challenge to do sports reporting. The only challenge I faced was that I did not know the local players.

“However, I took this industry on with so much interest and willingness to learn.”

What made work easy for one of Namibia's top sports writers was that the men she found in the industry were overwhelmingly welcoming.

The assistance that she got from her fellow sports journalists made it easier for her to gel and grow into an award-winning writer.

Her biggest moment in the industry has been reporting on the African Women Championship which took place in the country in 2014.

To Kaino, to see more women sports journalists emerging in the country she loves, is one of her biggest wishes.

However, this will require lots of encouragement from tertiary institutions and women sports clubs.

The challenge still remains that many of the young and vibrant women prefer to wear heels than to sit on wet grass with a camera, notebook and a pen.

The other rare species is a veteran sports journo Katrina //Gowases who's been in the industry longer than when I had my first kiss.

An employee at the Namibia Broadcasting Co-operation (NBC), //Gowases has made an incredible impact on the life of many sports personalities. I must admit by the time I came in as a young and upcoming journalist, I would question myself why she never chose to become a politician or even a model.

But her CV is probably bigger than any of my stupid imaginings given that she started back in 1999 at NBC.

“I remember we were only two females in a male-dominated industry.

“It was quite tough to get stories from male newsmakers who first wanted to go under the skirt before they can give you the news.

“I survived all that, because I had the mentorship of the late Moses Kandjoze.

“I was also very fortunate to have worked under ace reporter Carlos Kambaekwa, Wiets Coetzee and Johan Nel.”

//Gowases also shares the same views as Nghitongo, stating that it is important that more women join the industry. Citing the struggles of raising her children on her own, //Gowases is urging young women to stand up and start doing something meaningful with their lives.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa