MultiChoice Namibia

USING ENTERTAINMENT TO INSTIGATE CULTURAL SHIFTS

ENRICHING LOCAL BROADCASTING

As MultiChoice Namibia harnesses the untapped potential of the continent’s film and television sector, it is going above and beyond in creating local and innovative content. Managing Director of the company, Roger Gertze, tells us more Writer:

Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Josh Hyland

There is no doubt that the entertainment industry plays a crucial role in millions of households across Africa, bringing to the fore vital information and entertainment to subsequently enrich lives. Evidently, the MultiChoice Group as a whole grew its subscriber base by five percent, totalling 21.8 million users in the last financial year.

The Namibian film and television industry in particular has undergone a significant period of transformation in recent years that has elevated the sector to its current innovative state. This is due to Namibia’s prime positioning for industry growth and reaping substantial benefits.

However, Namibia’s film and television industry is not without its challenges, namely budgetary

constraints, international restrictions, and a lack of resources that have prevented countries such as Namibia from becoming top producers in the global entertainment industry. Feature films, for example, are one of the most expensive to produce, putting heavy strains on directors and producers who struggle to find funds, yet are one of the most profitable and successful components of the entertainment industry.

Consequently, whilst the Namibian film industry has been around for decades, there have been relatively few recent developments.

MultiChoice Namibia, however, is prepared to rise to the challenge, thanks to the capabilities of the next generation of filmmakers, marking a turning-point in the sector.

Roger Gertze, MD

“Namibian filmmakers are filled to the brim with exciting ideas and concepts. The country itself is home to outstanding locations and production sets that can elevate other international films,” Roger Gertze, Managing Director, introduces.

Therefore, although future talent is feeling the effects of the limited impact Namibia is having on the box office, it remains a country ripe with opportunity, thanks to the contribution and recognition from international institutions.

KEY PARTNERSHIPS

From its inception, MultiChoice Namibia set out to be a local business

AN OVERVIEW OF ROGER GERTZE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MULTICHOICE NAMIBIA

Multichoice Namibia has enjoyed Gertze’s leadership for over 10 years, having joined in January 2013. However, he has enjoyed a varied career having been at executive and board level in many of Namibia’s top financial and medical institutions.

This speaks to the notion of customer experience and value-added services that have always been at the heart of Gertze’s career mission, after becoming particularly interested in technological advancements and its place in business transformation.

“My roles for the last 30 years have always been in and around service, which has helped me to combine technology and customer service to derive better solutions. I have also enhanced my leadership capabilities to deliver complex assignments with the help of a diverse team,” Gertze recalls.

With such a customer-centric focus, Gertze has a strong belief in the power of the media sector, due to its capabilities to advance any society.

“I endeavour to shape and enrich the lives of Namibians through information, education, and entertainment across all platforms,” he states.

“Our involvement in the NBC Film Project will see 26 new Nambian feature films produced locally, harnessing entertainment platforms to give Namibians a voice and empower them to tell their stories by producing more regional content and specifically tailoring it to the local audience,” he adds.

for its people, a promise it continues to honour in four branches across the country with a total of 130 employees and 33 agents.

“Our business empowers, uplifts, upskills, and touches the hearts and minds of Namibians everyday through the very best local and international entertainment. Therefore, we remain committed to future social and economic growth of the country,” Gertze tells us.

This is most clearly heralded in the company’s commitment to local production, showcased by MultiChoice Namibia’s partnership with the national broadcaster, Namibia Broadcasting House (NBC).

To date, the NBC Film Project has 13 films that are forecasted to launch in September 2023, including titles such as Okalila, Tuli & Jessica, InstaLove, BOkwagter, Handholder, Wish for Death, Kauna’s ER, and more.

Through the championing of local production, MultiChoice Namibia wants to facilitate a strong connection with its customers by creating content that reflects the local culture, as well as promoting stories and experiences that lead to increased viewership and audience engagement. This fosters a feeling of mutual cooperation between the company and customer, whilst further bolstering the local community.

“DESPITE RECENT CHALLENGES, NAMBIAN FILMMAKERS HAVE CREATED SOME TRUE MASTERPIECES THAT HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED WORLDWIDE”

– ROGER GERTZE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MULTICHOICE NAMIBIA

Roger Gertze, MD

Welcome to Airtime City

Airtime City is a leading technology-driven company based in Namibia, specializing in aggregating, wholesaling, and retailing Value-Added Services (VAS). With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, we provide a comprehensive range of VAS offerings, including airtime, prepaid electricity, insurance bill payments, sports betting, and last but not least MultiChoice subscription payments.

Our mission is to simplify and enhance the lives of Namibians by offering seamless access to a diverse array of value-added services, empowering both individuals and businesses through reliable, convenient, and cost-effective solutions. This is achieved by Unmanned kiosks, Handheld POS Devices, Retail Till Integrations and partnering with end user applications like Simcontrol.

Airtime City and MultiChoice partnered in 2017 to make payments more accessible, since then both have worked closely to improve the customer experience.

For more information on this partnership and how Airtime City can help take your services closer to Namibians, contact us: +264 61 304 051

marketing@airtimecity.com www.airtimecity.com

What makes the NBC Film Project further unique is its offering of consistent work for 50 technical crew members, whilst building and training at least 13 new writers and

MULTICHOICE

NAMIBIA’S VALUESAT A GLANCE:

DEVELOP - growing Africa’s vibrant creative industries

PARTNER - building long-term relationships

MARKET - creating opportunity for small enterprises

BROADCAST - investing in leading-edge broadcasting technology

DELIVER - offering educating and inspiring content

presenting 52 new actors to the world stage, creating new opportunities for exposure.

“This is vital in allowing the local Namibian creative industry to grow and mature beyond the two years of the project, a fact that makes us immensely proud,” highlights Gertze.

VALUABLE INVESTMENT

MultiChoice Namibia has an impressive history of content investment, as its partnership with Namibia Media Holdings has nurtured growth. A landmark of such developments is the launch of Network TV on DStv Channel 285 and GOtv channel 94. This exclusive set of Nambian channels provides hyperlocal content to Namibians, broadcasting local current affairs, debates, Namibian sports, youth programming and entertainment shows.

The company also prides itself on consistently listening to its customers and their everchanging needs, to

ensure that it not only meets, but exceeds their service expectations. This is highlighted by its significant investment in internal digital infrastructure, including two leading digital self-service applications, known as MyDSTV and MyGOtv, which provide self-service capabilities to its DStv and GOtv customers.

Both applications provide fully comprehensive and all-encompassing services that are available to users on a 24/7 basis. On top of this, customers can also enjoy 16 real-time payment integrations that facilitate communication channels, making it

GOtv activations in Walvis Bay

Namibia MTF Alumni

easy to reconnect from the comfort of the customer’s home.

Alongside the expanding needs of its customers, MultiChoice Namibia is dedicated to investing in the well-being of its staff. A particularly important element of the company’s welfare responsibilities lies in the value of female empowerment within the wider context of the entertainment industry.

The company views entertainment as an essential catalyst for social change and a tool of empowerment, with the industry making enormous efforts to equally represent men and women and subsequently close the gender gap. MultiChoice Namibia is at the forefront of this change, represented by its partnership with NBC, which boasts seven of its 13 films produced by women.

Therefore, MultiChoice Namibia is proactively challenging the view that the film and television sector is only a place for men in Africa, allowing a space for women to occupy

leadership roles and reach their full potential.

MOVING FORWARDS

As the company forecasts its trajectory, MultiChoice Namibia is looking forward to broadcasting content that will set it apart from its competitors, such as the development of local content creation in partnership with NBC.

Elsewhere, the company is currently developing specialised local sports channels that will allow millions to watch long-awaited sporting events. These include broadcasting the success of Namibian international rugby team, nicknamed the Welwitschias, who have qualified for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Additionally, the advancements of the country’s cricket and athletics teams will be showcased across MultiChoice Namibia’s locally created sports channels and radio stations, which are instrumental in developing opportunities for Namibians.

Furthermore, the company strives to move with the trends of the industry by becoming more experimental with streaming services and following the direction of audience viewing. This is most clearly showcased in the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps, as they represent the company’s entry into the streaming world.

“It’s clear that today’s culture is vastly different to that of 30 years ago, and it’s the entertainment industry’s job to not only reflect the current culture but keep pushing it to evolve and adapt,” concludes Gertze.

Network TV launch