Breaking barriers in sports

Joviita Kandjumbwa, a freelance sports broadcaster at Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and candidate legal practitioner, has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in sports media.

Reflecting on the early days of her career, she recalled the struggles she had faced at the start of her career.

"At the beginning of my career, I faced unique challenges. People did not believe that women could do sports, and I had to fight for my space at the table," she explained.

Despite these hurdles, Kandjumbwa has seen a positive shift over the years. "Now, I have seen many more women going in the direction of doing sports."

This evolution has brought more women into various roles within sports journalism, from print and broadcast to social media. However, sexism remains a significant issue, Kandjumbwa believes.

"Sexism is still a very big factor, but my challenges are not as big anymore. I've possibly overcome some of them."

She highlighted the importance of having other women in the industry, noting: "Sport is a lonely journey if you're the only woman, but the men make it quite accommodating for women to take up space."

Times are changing

Kandjumbwa also discussed the impact of social media on traditional media. "Social media is affecting every area of the media. Traditional media, such as print, television and radio, are affected tremendously," she said.

An investigation conducted by this magazine found that the accessibility of social media has democratized journalism, enabling anyone with a phone to become a voice in Namibia. While this brings benefits, it also presents challenges for those with formal academic qualifications in media, raises ethical dilemmas, and impacts the quality of news reporting, among other concerns.

Balancing personal life with a demanding career is another challenge, Kandjumbwa said.

"There is no balance. You just need to compromise and see what is important at the time," she said.

A fruitful career

Kandjumbwa's career in sports broadcasting spans over a decade. She remarked on the significant changes she has witnessed, especially the increased participation of young people and the public's growing interest in sports.

"The face of sports has really changed. Stadiums are more full now, and people are really engaging in finding and following Namibian sports," she said.

Despite not having formal education in media, Kandjumbwa has honed her skills through on-the-job training and experience.

She stressed the importance of confidence and a thorough understanding of sports for broadcasters. "Confidence is a key factor."

"You can never stop researching; never stop finding new information," she added.

Her day often starts early with exercise, and during the day she covers football matches, conducts interviews and provides commentary from stadiums.

Among her career highlights, Kandjumbwa highlighted covering major events like the African Cup of Nations and the Qatar World Cup.

"There are so many memorable moments, but those are some that really stand out," she said.

Reflecting on her inspiration, Kandjumbwa recounted seeing Carol Shabalala on SuperSport at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"That is what I want to do for the rest of my life," she said she realised at that moment.