Namibian sportscaster, Joviita Kandjumbwa believes radio plays a vital role to inform, promote and develop a positive viewpoint towards women’s sport and their progress in future.
Kandjumbwa is one of the few women constantly reporting on women’s sport in her country as journalists who specialise in the women’s game are a distinct minority.
Now a force in the sport media industry, Kandjumbwa started her sport broadcasting career at Radio Energy 100FM as a sport producer and presenter for the Sports café show.
In 2018, she made her debut on television as an analyst during the 2018 FIFA World Cup on national television.
Currently, Kandjumbwa doubles as a sportscaster for National FM where she hosts a show called “The Score” and is a sport presenter for Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation.
Speaking with Tatenda Gondo, Kandjumbwa chats about creating opportunities for women in sport and reveals where she would like to see herself in future.
Joviita, thank you for chatting with us. What made you venture into sport journalism?
I wanted to fulfil a purpose, doing something bigger than myself. I needed to wake up every morning knowing that I am doing something not only for me but for the greater good. And at 19, I discovered that doing sport and journalism was doing something bigger than myself. Just seeing the magnitude of sport around the world I figured, what is a better way to make an impact than through sport journalism?
Not seeing women in the space also motivated me to enter this space – to me this was a challenge and I love challenges, hence I wanted people to see a representation of someone that looks like them and know that they too can do it. I am glad sport journalism found me.
How are you able to balance being a sport TV presenter and sportscaster all at once?
At first, it was quite a challenge but we are getting there. The transition, how you have to read one and the other is probably just unprepared. Being a sport presenter is kind of scripted therefore it is much easier because you will be following a script but the progression is very difficult.
In sportscasting, it is just an instant game. You follow a guideline hence it is free-flowing and you will be able to control the narrative. Just knowing which hat to wear was challenging at first but now I know when to be tuned down and when to come out with my bubbly personality.
Please share a brief history about yourself.
Despite losing my mother at the age of 11, I had a normal childhood just like everyone else. I was born in the northern region of Namibia and I pride myself on where I came from. Joviita wears many hats hence she stings in any place she wants. I have two passions and I get to live both of them at once and sometimes it is very difficult to navigate. I love both my passions, hence I cannot pick one over the other. I have been in sport broadcasting for the last eight years and it is very fulfilling and demanding.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as a sportscaster and how have you been able to manage them?
Just venturing into radio as a woman doing sport was a challenge and I am glad I get the opportunity to work with Energy Radio. They created an environment that allowed me to do the shows the way I wanted. At first, I found it quite difficult to own my voice but just giving it my all has seen me reaping the fruits of what I planted.
Unfortunately, I am not a holder of a degree in journalism therefore I had to put in ten times the work to learn everything. I appreciate the people who were willing to correct and groom me.
Which sport journalists do you look up to and why?
I have quite a lot of sport journalists whom I look up to but my number one is Usher Komugisha. She says your journey is your journey, it may not look like the next person ones but it’s your journey, you are owning it and you are going to arrive at your own time.
The second one is Robert Marawa. He has such a captive voice and keeps you locked up to everything that he says.
Then, there is Carol Tshabalala. She got me into sport journalism therefore I look up to her.
How can radio programmes influence clubs, and federations to open doors for women to participate in sport and create new opportunities?
With everything going on, digital radio programmes have a huge influence. Let me take you back to ten years ago where women’s sport competitions and championships were hardly broadcasted or talked about on radio but now things have changed. Women’s sport fixtures, results and achievements are been talked about more on the radio. In our sport conversations on the radio, we are also including women in our discussions.
Sport programmes are also providing other necessary information in teaching sport, new scientific achievements in sport and new sport regulations to listeners. Radio plays an important role in informing, promoting and developing a viewpoint towards women’s sport and their progress in future.
Looking at the last few years, what do you think has changed when it comes to women’s sport reporting?
I think it’s not just about reporting, but also the attention that women’s sport is receiving from the corporate world. Now women’s sport and athletes are being embraced and receiving massive support from corporates.This is the power of radio, it has helped corporates to see women’s sport in a different light.
When I started on radio, I was the only woman doing sport so I was very intentional about making sure that I talked about women’s sportsand getting them to tell their stories. And for me to see the progress now, I think it is massive and it can only get better.
Where do you see yourself in future?
I want to report in Africa including covering the African Games, African Cup of Nations, and FIFA World Cup – overall, I want to be reporting about African sport stories.
Also, working for a big media organisation like SuperSport. Locally I think I have achieved the highest as I am on the national broadcaster and it cannot get any bigger than this.
What advice would you give to young girls who would one day want to venture into journalism?
They should try to be versatile because media is now evolving. As much as I would want to say be passionate about it, they should also be willing to put in the work. They should have a drive bigger than passion because longevity does not come from passion alone. Be ready to put in the hours and sacrifice a lot and lastly they should have a good support system.
Photo 1 Caption: Namibian sportscaster, Joviita Kandjumbwa believes radio plays a vital role to inform, promote and develop a positive viewpoint towards women’s sport and their progress in future. Photo: Supplied
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
