Joviita: The match analyst forges ahead

Joviita Kandjumbwa is a rare breed in the male-dominated domain of sportscasting.
Gabby Tjiroze
Tunohole Mungoba



Joviita Kandjumbwa was chosen by NBC as one of the match analysts during the just-ended Russia World Cup.

She is also a radio sports presenter at Radio Energy and the 23-year-old has hosted the Skorpion Zinc Cup and other sports events, on and off television.

“I was born in a small village called Etilyasa in the Omusati Region, but grew up in Windhoek. I spent most of my early and school years commuting between the village and Windhoek,” she tells The Zone.

Kandjumbwa describes herself as someone who loves people.

“I am very passionate about sports. If I am not doing anything sport-related, I would be at home reading or spending time with family,” she says.

According to Kandjumbwa, she has always known she was going to work in broadcasting and on radio.

“I am also really more comfortable behind the microphone than in front of the camera and because my aim is to inform, engage and entertain, radio was the best platform.”

As a match analyst, Kandjumbwa watched the World Cup games in full and was also involved in previewing and commenting on the highlights.

To do this, she had to read as much as possible and make notes, watch match previews on other channels to get a clear understanding of the game and also had to double-check everything.

“One cannot afford to get the facts wrong, as this is where creditability lies,” she says.

Kandjumbwa's love for sport was sparked at the age of 19, when she started to develop an interest in sport as a career.

“That is when I seriously considered being a sportscaster. It all began when I was watching the 2014 World Cup and saw Carol Tshabalala, a South African sports broadcaster, producer and voice-over artist at SuperSport in Brazil presenting on the games. For the first time I was seeing a black female sportscaster and I honestly never knew that it could be a career option. I knew then and there that that was what I wanted to be - a sportscaster - and ever since then I have never looked back,” she says.

Just like any other woman in a male-dominated industry, Kandjumbwa experienced a lot challenges.

“People did not really believe in me. I guess it was hard to believe that a woman could genuinely want to do sports. Secondly, I wanted to be in broadcasting and there were not a lot of platforms available.

“But as time went on and I kept proving myself time and again, and being persistent - I can never take no for an answer - more people began to take me seriously and give me opportunities,” she adds.

Kandjumbwa said men were really helpful, and were always willing to correct and teach. “It took time and a lot of hard work to prove that I am equally good, if not better than some men.”

In a few years' time, Kandjumbwa hopes to be one of the best sportscasters in Namibia and do the next World Cup in Qatar 2022.

“I would like to work in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as well as at SuperSport, which is regarded the biggest (sports) broadcaster in Africa. I also intend to work with youth development programmes in terms of sports, as I am passionate about youth development. It is of outmost importance to nurture young talent, as well as help uplift sport in Namibia, as sport has the power to change lives and economies, but it is not properly utilised in our country.”

Kandjumbwa advises young people to first get a qualification related to the field, as “it makes things easier”.

“I can never stress the importance of education enough. It takes a lot of hard work and persistence. It is not going to come easy, as you have to do your research and build relationships in this small industry. It is of outmost important to form relationships and don't be afraid to ask for help.”



Fast facts about Joviita:

1. She is currently reading: 'Quiet leadership: Winning hearts, minds and matches' by Carlo Ancelotti.

2. Her all-time favourite song is: 'Islands in the stream' by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

3. Her favourite holiday destination is: Swakopmund.

4. She looks up to her grandmother, Hannah Shaanika, as she has always been a pillar of strength in everything she does. “She has taught me the value of hard work, to never accepting anything you have not worked for, to be grateful, humble and content with what I have; and her strength, courage and character are what inspire me, and her wisdom is unmatched.”

5. Her favourite scripture she lives by is: “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11.