Namibian journalist and television producer, Elago Shitaatala has expressed dedication to the course of duty and passion for the craft of journalism that propelled her to greater heights.

Shitaatala won first prize in the television category at the SADC Media Awards, while NUST student Liezel Mujoro placed third in the SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition.

Shitaala's winning programme, In the Community with Elago Shitaatala, featured an episode titled 'Namibia: A Link to SADC.'

The episode explored Namibia's role in connecting landlocked SADC countries to regional and international markets through the Port of Walvis Bay and the country's transport corridors.

“I was honestly very excited and very proud because this was a regional competition involving all 16 SADC countries. I knew the competition would be strong, so winning was a great shock. It also showed that, despite our limited resources, the work we are doing at NBC and as a team on 'In the Community' is making an impact. The story was inspired by the need to inform Namibians about the important role our country plays in regional integration and trade. The achievement was a team effort, and I am grateful to everyone who contributed to making the episode possible.”

Mujoro, a final-year Bachelor of Journalism and Media Technology student at the Namibian University of Science and Technology, placed third in the 2026 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition.

Her essay, titled 'From Liberation Solidarity to Contemporary Regionalism: A Balanced Evaluation of SADC's Evolution,' examined the challenges faced by the founders of SADC and compared them with the challenges confronting the region today.

“I was honestly very excited and proud. This was a regional competition involving students from all 16 SADC countries, so placing third was very rewarding. I was also grateful to represent Namibia at a regional level. I wanted to understand SADC beyond the organisation we know today. My interviews gave the research a human touch because I was learning from people with knowledge and experience of the region. One of the key lessons I drew from the founders was the importance of regional solidarity.”

Both winners said their achievements have motivated them to continue contributing to regional dialogue through journalism, research, and storytelling.

They encouraged young Namibians to pursue opportunities, believe in themselves, and use their work to make a meaningful contribution to society.