Ya France new NBC chairman

FORMER Swapo Party MP Ponhele ya France has been appointed Chairman of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) board of directors for the next five years.

The former unionist and Chief Executive Officer of the Khomas Regional Council replaces former NBC board Chairman Uazuva Kaumbi, who is involved in the production of the film ‘Where Others Wavered’. During his time as Chairman, Kaumbi introduced a number of changes including the introduction of the somewhat controversial indigenous language news bulletins on national television, but struggled to get the broadcaster on a healthy financial footing.Ya France told Nampa in an interview on Friday that it was still too early to talk about the kind of changes he wanted to introduce at the NBC, but he was clear that the emphasis would be on prudent financial management and financial discipline.”The new board has not yet had its first meeting, but what is clear to me is that it will be best to find ways to improve the income of the NBC.We will also have to see to it that we create harmonious labour relations at the corporation,” said Ya France.Joining Ya France on the new NBC board are Frieda Shimbuli, the Dean of Students at the Polytechnic of Namibia; Benjamin Biwa, a Researcher at the Bank of Namibia; Yvonne Boois of Literacy Trust; Colonel Gallen Kolokwe of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF); and NBC Director General Gerry Munyama.Kolokwe is the only member of the previous board who was retained.The NBC is funded by Government and the members of the NBC board are appointed by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.- NampaDuring his time as Chairman, Kaumbi introduced a number of changes including the introduction of the somewhat controversial indigenous language news bulletins on national television, but struggled to get the broadcaster on a healthy financial footing.Ya France told Nampa in an interview on Friday that it was still too early to talk about the kind of changes he wanted to introduce at the NBC, but he was clear that the emphasis would be on prudent financial management and financial discipline.”The new board has not yet had its first meeting, but what is clear to me is that it will be best to find ways to improve the income of the NBC.We will also have to see to it that we create harmonious labour relations at the corporation,” said Ya France.Joining Ya France on the new NBC board are Frieda Shimbuli, the Dean of Students at the Polytechnic of Namibia; Benjamin Biwa, a Researcher at the Bank of Namibia; Yvonne Boois of Literacy Trust; Colonel Gallen Kolokwe of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF); and NBC Director General Gerry Munyama.Kolokwe is the only member of the previous board who was retained.The NBC is funded by Government and the members of the NBC board are appointed by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.- Nampa