Overview of My Zone: The NMH School Newspaper Project

Tunohole Mungoba and Octavia Tsibes started working for NMH as interns in 2017. The two have shared interests in youth development and empowerment and currently coordinate the My Zone brand by producing youth friendly content.



Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) launched My Zone: The NMH School Newspaper Project in 2015 in which selected high schools are given an opportunity to publish their own eight-page school newspaper.

The project began with eight schools in the Khomas Region in 2015, with 24 school newspapers published and distributed to schools in the region.

In 2016, the project expanded and boasted 20 participating schools in the central region (Windhoek, Rehoboth, Gobabis and Okahandja) and eight schools in the Erongo Region, publishing and distributing 32 and 16 school newspapers, respectively.

During 2017, we had 22 central schools, 10 Erongo schools and 18 schools from the central and far north that also joined the project, which boosted the number of participating schools to 50 nationwide.

Currently, we have published 19 central schools, 10 Erongo schools and three far north schools. We have also recently welcomed Kuisebmond Secondary School in the Erongo Region that recently came on board and we will be expecting their first edition next year.

Project objectives

· Create a generation that understands the importance of a free, fair and independent media industry;

· Invest in a generation that does not only have access to information, but understands why access to information is important and the responsibility that comes with 'knowing';

· Establish a platform where the youth and marginalised youth of Namibia can make their voice heard; and

· Develop the industry and life skills in participating students.

The editorial teams (10 to 15 learners per school) as well as the school design team (five learners) receive training at the NMH Media Academy prior to the commencement of their first edition.

The project has grown to include 600 learners that are part of it and more than 10 000 learners are reached by receiving the school newspapers.

Basic journalism principles and the use of industry software (Adobe and InDesign) form the basis of equipping the learners to publish a school newspaper. The training consists of a two-day session hosted by NMH. Tunohole Mungoba and Octavia Tsibes (project leaders) coordinate the entire project with assistance from senior NMH journalists and the NMH Swakopmund Erongo office runs the Erongo schools.

The project leaders meet with the editorial team from each participating school to discuss content and layout approximately a month prior to every publication. Practical application by the learners along with some guidance has proven to be successful. Debriefing sessions are also held after each edition.

The programme includes training sessions that focus on photo journalism, multi-media journalism, social media and copy editing. Furthermore, this project encourages and promotes teamwork, leadership skills, analytical and independent thinking, clear writing, sensitivity to deadlines and hands-on experience.

Comments from numerous learners and coordinating teachers affirm that this project encourages leadership development, responsibility and entrepreneurial skills, and has created a love for print and digital media.

Did you know?

Under the My Zone banner, we also publish The Zone, Careers, Expo Times, Career Magazine and Privaatskole Pret.