Spreading their wings

MARISELLE STOFBERG

The ambitious and determined Elizabeth Joseph and Ester Kamati will now represent Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) the //Karas and Otjozondjupa regions. NMH has again broadened its scope of news coverage and has announced that the group is opening two new network offices this week.

While NMH already has an office in the Erongo Region as well as correspondents in Oshakati and Rundu, these two women, who are part of the My Zone team of NMH, are now also representing the media house in the communities of Keetmanshoop in the south, and Otjiwarongo in the central north.

Both women packed up their lives and ventured into towns where they will need to build up new contacts and relationships, which takes a great amount of skill, bravery and perseverance.

“Initially I was scared, but the good kind of scared. I lust after adventure, so that feeling quickly turned into excitement because I was picturing myself discussing various issues with the locals while getting to know the culture here. The plan of action is simple, I want to unapologetically be myself and allow whatever energy I’ve placed into the universe to carry me,” says Joseph with her glass-half-full approach to everything in her professional and personal life.

Joseph is now stationed at the town of Keetmanshoop.

“I also plan on acquainting myself with the people as fast as I possibly can because the purest stories come from the people and that is golden for me. The people will be my most credible source,” she adds.

Being a voice

“What I love about being a journalist is sharing the stories of people who would otherwise not have a platform to share their voices. It warms my heart to write a story about somebody’s new business venture and have a potential investor come to our offices looking for me to provide them with contact details so that they can partner with that person,” says Kamati, who is stationed at Otjiwarongo.

Kamati values being able to have had a hand in influencing somebody’s life positively.

“In this career I get to meet so many beautiful personalities that I would not have met otherwise. It also forces me to show more interest and learn as much as I can about what happens in the world around me,” she adds.

Where digital meets print

With the advances and expansion of technology, both have stressed the importance of a collaboration between print and digital media, which plays an important role in their careers.

“We are definitely at the doorstep of a new era that will require you to be on top of your game when it comes to technology. I believe that it is journalism that gives technology purpose, shape, perspective, meaning and significance, not the other way around, and this has helped me understand the marriage between the two,” Joseph says.

“Personally, I have learnt that there are different ways that people relate to stories or content and thus the need to present it in different ways in order to reach all audiences. It requires a lot of creativity and forward thinking in order to remain in tune with your audience regardless of the platform and once you have established an online presence, the only way left to go is up, while retaining the set standard for print,” says Kamati.

New responsibilities

In their respective regions, both women are tasked with reporting, photography and videography, giving coverage to people, events and stories in and around their regions. Their roles are to provide accurate and reliable content for the daily newspapers of NMH, the Namibian Sun, Republikein and Allgemeine Zeitung and other prominent NMH brands including The Zone and Careers Hub.

“I love that I am part of a team of superheroes that bring certain issues to light and contribute towards solving societal and national issues, and that influence alone is something immeasurable,” Kamati says.

“I am going to take it one step at a time and I can’t wait for the day I look back and reflect on where I started. A laptop in hand and a bag filled with business cards, hoping only for the best. Everybody has a story to tell, and I plan on listening to the stories of those in my new community and somehow convincing them that they can rely on me,” she adds.

Joseph believes that this journey that awaits will be magical, but it is important to never lose sight of the here and now. “Charlie Bronson said that this is the only moment you need to worry about. No yesterday. No tomorrow. Just right now. You're not late for anything. You aren't going to miss anything. You're exactly where you're supposed to be and you're exactly who you're supposed to be. You're absolutely perfect and whatever happens today is exactly what’s supposed to happen."

If you are in these regions and have news to share, you can contact them at [email protected] and [email protected].