Renaming studio after Similono scandal – NBC

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s management has come under fire from staff members expressing their discontent over a studio being renamed after NBC director general Stanley Similo.

The national broadcaster yesterday officially renamed its ‘Studio Four’ after Similo in a ceremony that was attended by deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs Charles Mubita, among others.

NBC sources say some staff members were “taken aback” by the move, saying this kind of recognition should not be self-congratulatory, but rather merit-based and inclusive of a wider pool of contributors.

Other staff members vented their disapproval on social media.

“There are people who have worked here for decades, off air and behind the scenes, who have carried this institution. Why Similo? We have suffered under his leadership,” a staff member told The Namibian yesterday.

NBC board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs yesterday described these concerns as “a waste of time”.

“This is not a scandal. It is not newsworthy,” he said.

NOT ASKED

Meanwhile, executive director of information and communication technology Audrin Mathe yesterday said the ministry is unaware of the studio’s renaming.

He said the ministry was not consulted on the event. “I recommend that you approach the chairperson of the board on the same. You should also ask if the ministry has endorsed the renaming . . . We were not asked and did not,” he said. But Jacobs said Similo is the second NBC employee to have received this recognition.

“Last week we as a board recognised a radio stalwart, the late Dr Jarimbovandu Alex Kaputu, by naming the Omurari studio after him. Interesting that you said absolutely nothing about it.

“And be assured many more current and former employees will be similarly acknowledged internally in due course, nationwide, whether you like it or not.

“This decision falls entirely within the NBC’s prerogative as an internal institutional matter,” he said. Jacobs also accused The Namibian of manufacturing drama.

SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION

Meanwhile, questions sent directly to Similo were not responded to.

NBC spokesperson Beaulah Boois-Beukes in a media statement says the renaming is a historic and heartfelt gesture.

“This significant recognition celebrates Similo’s transformative leadership, and over 37 years of unwavering service to not only the national broadcaster, but to the industry and the broader media landscape in Namibia and the Southern African Development Community,” she says.

According to Beukes, Similo holds the distinction of being the first director general in NBC’s 35-year history to serve a second full term, having ushered the corporation into a new era of digital growth, financial stability, and local content innovation.

Miss Namibia chief executive Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, who was serving as the corporation’s chief commercial officer at the time of her board proposal to rename the studio, at the event said: “It is imperative that we as journalists and broadcasters start to recognise our own in our industry.

“Similo has increased NBC’s annual revenue to an average of N$100 million in a fiscal year, secured the title of most admired brand in Namibia, boosted local content and launched training programmes for emerging film-makers, formed a groundbreaking partnership with Multi-Choice Namibia to produce 13 local films, reintroduced radio dramas and reclaimed the Miss Namibia Pageant for public ownership – all while establishing the upcoming NBC Broadcast Training Institute and serving three terms as president of the Southern Africa Broadcast Association.”

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