The NBC has strengthened partnerships with key national institutions as part of efforts to enhance public education initiatives and support platforms that contribute to national development.
NBC's executive team held strategic engagements with the National Road Safety Council and Debmarine Namibia to strengthen partnerships.
National Road Safety Council Executive Secretary Eugene Tendekule said despite existing campaigns, road crashes remain a major concern, requiring a more coordinated approach to educating both motorists and pedestrians.
“We understand your mandate, particularly the aspect that deals with education. How can we perhaps come together on this? From our side, we would also like road users to be educated. However, we face some challenges when it comes to educating them,” he noted.
NBC Director General Menesia Muinjo noted that the national broadcaster has a responsibility to use its platforms to address issues that directly affect citizens and contribute to national development.
Muinjo said NBC's television, radio, and digital platforms will be utilised to ensure that road safety information reaches communities across the country.
“What message do we want to put there? We have one side of revenue; we need it, but we have one side of ensuring that we save the lives of the nation. We contribute towards that. So it's a balancing act.”
With Debmarine Namibia, the official sponsor of the Miss Namibia and Miss Teen pageant, the NBC leadership also discussed strengthening collaboration around one of the country's flagship platforms for youth empowerment and nation branding.
Muinjo stressed the importance of the partnership in enabling the public broadcaster to fulfill its national mandate.
“We really want to add value to this pageant, and we have done so. I'm also happy with the fact that radio has really come on board fully.”
Debmarine Namibia said its continued support for the Miss Namibia pageant forms part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment, gender equality, and national development through strategic corporate investment.
“Let's do it for the girls and the women, and give them a platform where they can showcase what they can do. As we often say, it's not just about the night of 01 August; it's much more than that. It's about understanding how people got there. When we talk about designers and service providers in Omaheke, it's all part of the process. It's actually a mini-industry that we are supporting,” added Debmarine CEO Willy Mertens.