Bridging the communication divide at Impalila Island

Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus at the inauguration of the NBC FM transmission tower on Impalila Island, 13 March 2025

It is an honour to stand before you today on this significant occasion as we mark yet another milestone in Namibia’s journey toward improved connectivity and access to information. 

Today, we celebrate the launch of the NBC FM radio service here on Impalila Island, an achievement that underscores our government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind, regardless of geographical location.

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 programmes, and entertainment has been limited. But today, that changes. With the launch of the FM radio services, we are bridging the communication divide and reaffirming our dedication to fostering inclusivity and national unity.

When I visited this island last year around the same time, I gave an instruction to NBC to provide radio services to the residents of Impalila Island. Ba Induna Muluti, we have fulfilled that promise, and today, we are here to witness the realisation of that commitment. This is not just an achievement for NBC or the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, but for the people of Impalila Island and the entire people of Namibia as a whole. 

You are fellow Namibians, you are ours, and we are yours. Your voices matter, and we have ensured that they will be heard.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)  under the leadership of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, ensures that the people of this region now have access to National FM and Nwanyi FM. I acknowledge that the FM network does not provide full coverage across the island of all our indigenous languages, but these three are a strong start! 

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, and our institutions are committed to doing so. These stations will serve as essential platforms for information sharing, cultural expression, and community engagement. Through this infrastructure, we are strengthening civic participation and empowering our citizens with knowledge that is crucial for social and economic development.

Regarding television services, the ministry, in collaboration with NBC management, is actively working on a solution to achieve 100% network coverage through the introduction of direct-to-home (DTH) services. I am pleased to inform you that this process is progressing well, and soon, NBC television services will be accessible to all Namibians, regardless of their location. And in HD quality.

In today’s digital age, access to information is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right. Information shapes opinions, informs decisions, and ultimately drives progress. That is why the government continues to invest in expanding broadcasting services to all corners of our country. The radio services we are launching today are more than just a service, they are a bridge that connects Impalila Island to the rest of Namibia and the world. This infrastructure is critical in combating fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, which are all social evils against ethical journalism, truthful reporting, and truth. 

As a ministry of ICT, we will continue to call on Namibians to verify from multiple sources the information they receive and ensure it is fact-checked. More importantly, we call on all media houses to recommit to ethical journalism as a catalyst for nation-building and strengthening our democracy. 

Information is not meant to be sensational! It is meant to give citizens the tools to make informed decisions about their lives. Information should not be used as a weapon to drive one single agenda nor undermine our hard-earned democracy. Every Namibian should reject those who peddle such and guard the truth.

In closing, I want to acknowledge the roles of MTC and Telecom Namibia in assisting with infrastructure sharing because our broadcast is made possible through their respective support. I commend the NBC leadership and all stakeholders involved in making this project a reality. Your hard work and dedication have ensured that we are not just talking about inclusive development but actively delivering it.

To the people of Impalila Island, I urge you to make full use of these newly established FM 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 to help build Namibia, not break it down, but to build Namibia, our motherland. 

“The only place we can call home”, as our late third president, Hage Geingob often said. 

May his soul rest in peace.

As a government, 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.

With that, it is my great honour to officially declare the NBC FM transmission tower on Impalila Island inaugurated. 

May it serve this beautiful community of Impalila Island for many years to come.

I thank you!