Niël Terblanché
Residents of Impalila Island in the Zambezi region are finally able to access reliable radio services following the installation of a new FM transmission tower.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus described the construction of the tower by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a development that has been long-overdue, a step towards ensuring that all Namibians, regardless of location, have access to information.
“For far too long, the people of Impalila Island and surrounding areas have faced challenges in receiving consistent radio signals. Due to its remote location, access to timely news, educational programs, and entertainment has been limited. But today, that changes,” she said.
Residents of the island and surrounding areas will now have access to National FM and Nwanyi FM.
According to Theofelus, the tower will provide a platform for news, cultural programming, and community engagement.
Theofelus acknowledged that not all indigenous languages are yet covered, but assured residents that further improvements are under discussion.
“The director general and I are exploring the possibility of leveraging infrastructure from our neighbouring countries to install an FM transmitter, with the goal of achieving complete coverage,” she explained.
The minister recalled her visit to the island a year ago, when she instructed NBC to ensure that radio services reached the community.
“Ba Induna Muluti, we have fulfilled that promise, and today, we are here to witness the realisation of that commitment,” she said.
She reiterated that this initiative is not just for NBC or the government but for the people of Impalila Island.
“You are fellow Namibians, you are ours, and we are yours. Your voices matter, and we have ensured that they will be heard.”
She added that beyond radio services, the ministry is also working towards nationwide television coverage through Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, which will allow Namibians in even the most remote areas to access NBC television broadcasts in high definition.
“This process is progressing well, and soon, NBC Television services will be accessible to all Namibians, regardless of their location,” she said.
The minister stressed the importance of access to credible information in today’s digital age, warning against misinformation and the dangers of fake news.
“Information is not meant to be sensational! It is meant to give citizens the tools to make informed decisions about their lives,” she said.
Theofelus called on media houses to uphold ethical journalism and urged the public to verify information from multiple sources.
“Every Namibian should reject those who peddle falsehoods and guard the truth,” she said.
She also commended MTC and Telecom Namibia for their role in infrastructure sharing, which made the project possible.
Theofelus urged residents to make full use of the new radio services.
“Let radio be your source of information, education, and entertainment. Stay informed about national developments, participate in discussions, and embrace this platform to make your voices heard,” she said.
She repeated the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Namibian is left without access to essential services, including information.
“We will continue to seek ways to improve the lives of our people. Our commitment remains strong in ensuring that basic services, including access to information, reach every citizen, no matter how remote their location may be,” she said.
The NBC’s chief of commercial services, Nico Mwiya, was quoted by the broadcaster as having expressed excitement over the ability to spread its services to the people in the most remote corners of the country.
“For years the NBC was unable to reach the residents of Impalila island. We, along with the ministry of information and communication technology, are excited to bring these long-awaited services to the community,” he said.
