The Namibian Social Network

There’s a new social media website in town, this time by a Namibian for Namibians and it’s called Namhook.

Created by developer Gerson Mungundu, this project started in 2015, but had to be postponed due to his studies in Cuba. But after graduation earlier in the year, it was all systems go for the website which launched in October.

“Namhook is not just an ordinary network,” Mungundu said. “It has a lot of unique features like job postings where companies can post their vacancies and applicants can apply. We also allow music selling where you can upload your singles and sell them. Fans can buy your work because it will be easier than selling on the street.”

And the registration process is free.

“There are listings as well, so you can place adverts on real estates, cars, etc.” Mungundu is encouraging companies to open on Namhook, particularly small businesses. As fun as it may seem, he recommends that only those over 16 apply, for good reason.

Interestingly enough, however, the website so far is a one-man job. “For now, I’m alone in the business and I’ve been concentrating on doing everything. So far, we have over 1 400 members and I’m very happy that people like the website. Namhook is a network of networks.”

The signing up process takes less than five minutes, and starts off with you registering for free on namhook.net. If you’ve already signed up, it’s as simple as entering your member login details. After registering for free, you’re asked to create an account with your email address details and timezone. But if you’re not sure how it works, make sure that you read the terms of service.

According to the agreement when signing up, you will own all the content on Namhook, but when you post music or photos, you are giving the team a “non-exclusive, transferable sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Namhook,” and the agreement will end when you delete your account.

Spam is not allowed on the account, and neither are viruses, unlawful multi-level marketing, hate speech, porn or nudity or operating third-party applications. Namhook prefers that you not post false information and you may only have one personal account.

If the Namhook team disables your account, you cannot create another one without their permission. Content should not be transferred without Namhook’s approval and if you post information similar to an account that you already established, Namhook has the rights to remove it.

In terms of payments, Namhook is given the permission to “use your name, profile picture, content, and information in connection with commercial, sponsored, or related content (such as a brand you like). This means, for example, that you permit a business or other entity to pay us to display your name and/or profile picture with your content or information, without any compensation to you.”

And remember, this is at your own risk!

Once you get the gist of Namhook, it’s fairly easy to use. However, you can’t necessarily choose your friends, everyone’s information is posted on the site. You can choose to access either albums, classifieds, stores, jobs, groups and even contests are available if you’re interested.

It works like Facebook and needs a bit of work here and there, but it looks like Namhook is here to stay.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.