The MTC Content Creator Awards 2026 were officially launched on Thursday, with organisers encouraging creators to turn their passion into sustainable careers.

The awards, held under the theme "From Passion to Profession", celebrate Namibia's digital creators and creative brands while promoting industry growth, skill development, and brand partnerships.

Speaking at the launch, MTC's Erasmus Nekundi urged creators to build strong personal brands that can generate income and long-term opportunities.

"Unfortunately, in our country, we have to wait a little longer for monetisation. I just want to say that that should not be a discouraging factor to our content creators. As a matter of fact, if anything, it should be an encouragement so that we work on our own personal brands as content creators such that even corporates would want to partner with you as a content creator because when you have corporates that are willing to work with you, trust me, there is an opportunity for you to make an income for yourself."

The awards feature 24 categories and are open to creators aged 18 to 35. Self-nominations open at midnight, while public SMS voting will be overseen by an independent body to ensure a fair and confidential process.

Partner representative Carlos Gurirab explained that creators must register for a free account before nominating themselves.

"From this year, creators will be nominating themselves for the MTC Content Creator of the Year awards. What this means is that you, as a creator, will be going to the website that's there, www.namccawards.com. You will select the categories that you want to nominate yourself in. You will give us your links. Tell us why you deserve to be nominated in that category. And then a panel of judges will sit and get the top four out of the content creators who have nominated themselves."

The organisers say the initiative aims to grow Namibia's content economy and create more opportunities for digital creators.