THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) yesterday announced that it would reinstate morning and evening devotions on its radio services with immediate effect.
This decision came after a meeting yesterday morning between the NBC and the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) following NBC Director General Gerry Munyama's executive decision to suspend all religious programmes on the corporation's radio and television services late last week.
CCN Secretary General Rev. Nangula Kathindi said: "During the discussion the NBC agreed to reintroduce the morning and evening devotions and religious songs with immediate effect".
In the meantime, CCN said it was in the process of inviting Church leaders for information sharing and consultation on the matter.
A statement released by the NBC yesterday said the meeting held with the CCN "critically reviewed the manner in which religious programmes were conducted on both radio and television.
The meeting decided that further consultations on proper guidelines would be held to regulate the production of these programmes".
The NBC's entire executive management attended the meeting - the director general, general manager for corporate marketing, business development and communication Rector Mutelo, radio general manager Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, news and current affairs general manager Menesia Muinjo, acting general manager for television programmes Carlos Kambaekwa and the chief labour relations officer, Rev. Nathan Kapofi.
According to the statement, the meeting was attended by CCN president Bishop Shihala Hamupembe, vice-president Dr Zephania Kameeta, Rev. Phillip Strydom and the secretary general, Rev. Nangula Kathindi.
Rev. Roy Wallace, who represents one of the many non-traditional churches not represented by the CCN, confirmed yesterday that although these churches had met to discuss the situation since the weekend, there is still nothing to report.
"It will be a month or two before we say anything," he said.
Rev. Schalk Pienaar, moderator of the popular Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) in Namibia, pointed out that the move by the NBC does not mean the corporation is serving the anti-Christ.
He said the suspension should not necessarily be seen in a negative light.
He pointed out that there really is "a need to look at the contents of that which is put on air," but added that he is convinced that a meeting with all the churches is necessary.
Nevertheless, he questioned the need for suspending all religious programmes just to create the opportunity for such a meeting.