The novel Coronavirus global pandemic has ingrained itself into every sphere of society, forcing us to shift our focus away from life as we knew it and find new ways to preserve and define what is essential. During this period, we have had to adapt to new methods of existence as we come to accept the possibility that life might never return to what was once recognized as ‘normal’. And while most industries experienced the impact of hard lockdowns, media practitioners were permitted to continue delivering their essential services to panic-stricken audiences. For many, this called for creative thinking to overcome the new restrictions that came with the coronavirus.

AWiM News caught up with Namibia’s most buoyant Radio DJ and Journalist, Founa Kazongominja (better known to her fans and listeners as ‘Founa K’) to find out how she was affected by the abrupt shift in the social landscape and how she adapted to the changes in order to preserve what is essential.

With a background in radio production, music and sound facilitation from College of the Arts, Founa is the host of the Late Night Show for the Power Station Energy 100 FM; a poet, freelance Sales Executive and a Genius Magazine editor at 26 Media Agency.

Like many other young media practitioners in Namibia, Founa’s passion was conceived by an indelible desire to observe, express, and represent the reality of her society.

Providing an essential service during a pandemic

Lockdowns, national state-of-emergency declarations, death-toll rises, unemployment, and severe economic setbacks in both the public and the private sector, dominated Namibian headlines since the arrival of Covid-19.

As an essential service worker in broadcasting, Founa was required to work throughout every level of the Namibian lockdown.

“I consider myself very fortunate,” she says when asked if she is happy with where her journey as a journalist has led her.

Adding, there was a time when she used to doubt her capability and underestimate her talent during her induction into the radio industry which, at the time, was still heavily male-dominated.

Today, her gratitude stems from having cultivated the ability to harness enough courage to stand in her worth as a reporter.

“I had to wake up to the power that [media] carries in changing people’s narratives and find my place within that industrial quilt,” she says.

“I love that at this moment, everyone is understanding that we each play an essential role and need to collaborate in representing our society accurately and wholly”.

Even before the global pandemic, breaking news has seldom been accompanied by positive connotation news – more so during a pandemic. During this time, media frontline workers have had to cope with the daily reality of interacting with and sharing the most unwelcome updates on the progression of the coronavirus with their audiences.

“I discovered incredibly early on that I am an empath, I sense everything. So, if I can sense the world around me then that puts me in the perfect position to be able to work towards detecting and healing what is not positive. I have built my entire commitment to the broadcasting industry on my desire to awaken the greatest version of self in my community,” says Founa.

She continues, saying her focus is geared towards finding ways that she can use her radio shows to keep her listeners in good spirits going while uncertainty prevails.

Turning lemons into lemonade

In the past few months alone, she has managed to reprogramme her content towards availing information that can uplift, motivate and mobilize people who are stuck in unfavourable circumstances: quarantine, self-isolation, or recently unemployed at home. This has included access to information on business start-ups, mental health resources as well as entrepreneurial tips.

Since the entertainment news industry also reached a halt, Founa says this has been the perfect moment to shift listener preferences from mainstream commodity news to creating more intentional content that can empower her community during this time of adversity.

“The great thing about Covid-19 for me is that it created a delay in the usual stuff we used to consume and forced us to march towards clarity. In every aspect, we had to redefine and carve out what was essential; to do this, we needed to have enough clarity both personally and professionally,” she says.

Founa makes it is clear to that not only is she fulfilled by her passion for media and journalism but she is just as adamant about the intention that she breathes into her work.

Her advise to fellow African journalists is to remember to focus on the things that give life and remember the power of victory despite the current reality.

“I know that some of us are feeling displaced and unable to fulfill our responsibilities and passions, but I want people to remember to be grounded in spirituality and remain true to their authenticity,” she says.

“Something can only dominate over you because you allow it the power to. If you change your perspective, you welcome a different reality.”

While there is no perspective that can avoid the presence of coronavirus and, life post-pandemic might never resemble our previous normal, there will be life.