MEDIA RELEASE
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NBC calls on the Namibian public to pay their TV licenses by end November 2011 to avoid penalties

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA, 14 November 2011 – NBC has extended the TV License deadline for renewals from end October 2011 to 30 November 2011.  The legally regulated penalties become applicable thereafter. 

“At a media briefing in July 2011 this year I informed the Namibian public about the performance of the NBC regarding its financial predicament. I highlighted the fact that the income generated through TV license collection has been inadequate and that there has been no real change over the past few years,” said the Director General (DG) of the NBC, Albertus Aochamub. “Now I am addressing the Namibian public once more to inform everyone about what we intend to do in order to change this.”

Aochamub pointed out that in 2009 the NBC had collected merely N$ 14 million, in 2010 N$ 17 million and in March 2011 N$ 14 million. “This year,” the DG added, “we are aiming for N$ 18 million. This target is realistic whilst we are getting the internal processes sorted. I call on the Namibian people to help us achieve this goal simply by complying with the law and paying their TV license.”

As one of NBC’s achievements, he emphasized “I am also happy to announce that since the beginning of November, all TV license payments made at almost all post offices country-wide have been captured electronically.  The NBC is will do away with the system of TV licence books being held by its own regional centres and the Namibia Post branches. With the exception of the post offices in Aroab, Warmbad, Klein Aub, Okombahe, Tsumkwe, Sesfontein and Omatjete, as well as the NBC regional centres in Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo and Rundu.  TV set owners who renew their licenses at either a post office or the NBC will receive a printed licence, as well as a printed receipt.”

The Director General furthermore emphasised the importance of presenting the new account number when renewing a TV license. “TV set owners who want to renew their licenses should not only bring along their new account number but also their authentic Namibian Identity Documents. Further to that a current postal & residential addresses, the brand name & serial number of the TV set, a contact telephone, a cell phone number (if available), a fax number (if available), the Namibian Social Security number and an e-mail address. If we have the cell phone number of a TV set owner we can in future, send an SMS to the owner instead of forwarding a paper invoice,” Aochamub stressed.

When paying for a TV license, the following methods can be used:

• Nampost electronic transfers
• Continuous updating of the database to allow for correct licence numbers etc
• Payment at all NBC Regional Offices
• EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) or bank transfers to

Account Number: 620 611 996 02

Branch code 281872

NBC TV license

Branch: FNB main branch Windhoek

He added that NBC will introduce more ways of paying tv licenses in the near future to make it more convenient and easier for the public to obey the law. 

During the interview, Aochamub also cautioned that this year the NBC would not be sending out invoices to individual households. However, businesses, accommodation establishments, schools, government, retailers and such would be receiving invoices. “TV set owners must note that not receiving an invoice is not a reason for not paying - they have to renew their licences irrespective of whether they received an invoice or not,” Aochamub further advised.

After the deadline has expired on November 30^th, the NBC will be forced not only to charge penalties but also to forward the personal details of TV set owners that are in arrears to debt collectors.”

 For More information regarding TV Licence contact:

Manager: TV Licence Operations

Tel: +264 61 291 3103

E-mail: konesmus@nbc.na