The Namibian journalists honoured at Merck media awards

Two of The Namibian’s journalists, Taati Niilenge and Charlotte Nambadja, were honoured at the Merck Foundation’s Media Recognition Awards 2024 on Thursday.

Both journalists were recognised for their exceptional work among candidates throughout southern Africa.

These awards took place under the themes ‘More than a Mother’ and ‘Diabetes & Hypertension’ and were launched in partnership with African First Ladies.

Nambadja focuses on heath and gender-based violence in her reporting and received third place in the print category.

She describes the award as a great privilege.

“I feel honoured because oftentimes journalism or media work is not appreciated enough as it should be. People feel like we’re not doing as much as we can.

“I do my reporting based on awareness, raising awareness, informing the public and educating them. But then, being recognised or receiving the recognition award means so much to us because it just shows how much our work is recognised and the impact we have on the community,” she says.

Niilenge’s work showcases her passion for empowering women, and was recognised with second place in the multimedia category.

She says she is grateful that her stories centred on girls overcoming the odds are receiving this recognition.

“I’m really glad that these two stories are part of the winners because it’s going to show that girls are really passionate about education. They want to be educated, but we’re just not giving them a chance. There are some places in the country where people really did not think that girls can make it, but they can make it,” she says

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