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There are moments in a nation’s life that transcend politics, moments rooted not in expediency but in memory, symbolism and shared identity. Namibia’s Independence Day is one such moment. Yet, in a disappointing display of political opportunism, critics, led by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula, have chosen to reduce a profoundly symbolic decision by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to a shallow and cynical debate about timing and visibility. The outrage is not only misplaced; it is revealing. At the heart of this controversy is the president’s decision to deliver her Independence Day address at midnight on 21 March…

Namibia’s plan to invest roughly N$33 billion into expanding electricity access and generation is not just welcome news; it is long overdue. For a country blessed with abundant sunshine, vast open land, and a growing need for reliable energy, this commitment signals a potentially transformative shift in how Namibia powers its future. At its core, this programme recognises a simple truth: energy is the backbone of development. Without reliable, affordable electricity, economic growth stalls, industries struggle to compete, and households remain locked out of opportunities that many around the world take for granted. For too long, Namibia has lived with…

When the speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, addressed the parliamentary women’s caucus in Swakopmund this weekend, she articulated a concern that resonates far beyond the walls of Parliament. Her call for stronger oversight mechanisms, ones that produce measurable results rather than simply reports, captures the growing sentiment among many Namibians who follow the work of the legislature with interest, hope, and, at times, frustration. At its core, Parliament performs two critical functions in a democratic society: it creates laws and it holds the executive accountable for implementing them. These responsibilities are not abstract constitutional ideals; they are the…

Namibia prides itself on being one of Africa’s most stable and investment-friendly countries. We regularly remind the world of our democratic credentials, our respect for the rule of law and our political stability. These are indeed achievements worth celebrating. But when it comes to the mining sector, one of the pillars of our economy, the latest global assessment suggests that pride alone will not secure our future. The Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2025 places Namibia squarely in the middle of the global rankings. Out of 84 jurisdictions assessed worldwide, Namibia sits at 59th, with an investment attractiveness…

This week we witnessed what should have been a routine maintenance matter elevated into a moment of political theatre: the restoration of hot water at one of the country’s major public hospitals. The ministers responsible deserve acknowledgement for taking decisive action. But while we congratulate them for addressing a deeply embarrassing situation, the circumstances surrounding this “achievement” raise troubling questions about the priorities of governance in our country. Let us begin with the obvious. The absence of reliable hot water in a major national hospital is not merely an inconvenience. It is a failure of basic governance. Hospitals are places…