Sonja Smith
Sonja Smith (Born 3 April 1990, shortly after Namibia’s independence) is Namibian Investigative journalist. She has reported and investigated sensitive political stories including the Caprivi treason trial case. Early life. Smith obtained a Bachelor degree in Journalism & Media Technology from Namibia’s University of Science and Technology (https://www.nust.na/). She has previously studied Accounting but due to lack of finance, she had to drop out. Her parents are from the Namibian Kwanyama and Ngandjera clans. Career. Smith began working for the https://www.thevillager.com.na/ in 2013 as a Columnist, a weekly newspaper which has now transformed into an online publication . In October 2014, Smith joined http://www.confidente.com.na/ a weekly tabloid publication as one of its intern between October 2014 to September 2015: Here, she was called upon to write hard news leads, as well as human interest features and court stories, which she excelled at, leading nationwide coverage on the details of high-profile divorce stories. Smith also focused on the unfolding Caprivi High Treason trial. This is to be mention, to display her ability to source news from available sources and portray it accurately and fairly. In October 2015, Smith joined the https://www.observer.com.na/ the oldest newspaper in Namibia which is  also weekly, as a political journalist in which she rose to become one of the most trusted investigative journalist in the country. Passionate about speaking truth to power and exposing wrongdoing, in the interest of her country and its residents, particularly the poor and vulnerable. Smith developed a core of sources, who supply her with stories that are exclusive in nature and in line with the Namibian newspaper’s news agenda. She is able to develop her own diary of stories on a daily basis. Smith is able to work under extreme pressure, considering that she was the only national /political journalist at the publication, which means that she was required to lead the newspaper consistently. Smith has also developed a special interest in news analysis, which includes access to a growing number of commentators and analysts across Namibia. Smith has, in a relatively short space of time, created a niche for herself in local journalism. On May 30, 2018 Smith resigned from the publication to concentrate on her academic path. Freelancing. In 25 June 2018, Smith started freelancing for The Namibian. Her first freelancing article was when she broke a secretive deal between the Namibian government which was without  approval and knowledge of treasury. The deal was reversed after Smith’s article the next day by Namibia’s finance minister- Calle Schlettwein on 26 June 2018.