The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) are expanding their collaboration to increase fish consumption in the country.

It is NBC Director-General Menesia Muinjo's maiden visit to the NFCPT in Walvis Bay.

Together with her senior leadership team, she used the opportunity to strengthen the existing relationship and identify new ways of spreading the fish consumption message to the masses.

"We can only exist when we have the information, which is part of our mandate. When we also hold hands with sister entities, especially also the non-commercial ones, so that we can see how we can complement those synergies really and do more from what we have been doing."

From 11 language radio stations and television to social media and youth-focused programmes, Muinjo highlighted a range of platforms NBC can offer to promote fish consumption and educate the public.

Her team members cited the value Miss Teen Namibia and other NBC initiatives can bring in taking the message to younger audiences.

Beaulah Boois-Beukes is the National Director for the Miss Namibia Organisation. 

"We're looking at the promotion of consuming fish. But it's also how we are contributing to the dietary requirements of an ordinary Namibian citizen. So also with our Miss Teen, our current winner, her advocacy is based on nutritional value. So we can look at how we can join hands and really walk together on this journey and then empower the rest of the Namibians."

The NBC delegation proposed practical ideas, including cooking programmes, talk shows and youth initiatives that could demonstrate the nutritional value of fish and how it can be incorporated into everyday meals.

Peter Denk, the NBC Acting Chief of News and Programming, added, "One of the ways is when we would have a cook-off or a cooking just in the programme. For instance, Good Morning Namibia. We could have a cooking slot there where we harness the power in fish."

The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust CEO Victor Pea added that a formal partnership could help take fish consumption messages to communities across the country.

"We might have a message, but how do we take it across to the people to digest it and understand it? I think we can also benefit from the expertise of NBC in that regard. And then enrich, and then make sure that at least whatever we are saying has an impact."

Pea indicated that although the Trust is one of NBC's biggest clients, a Memorandum of Understanding should be signed to formalise the partnership and expand the collaboration.