Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Ya Toivo’s warning and the questions Namibia must confront There are conversations that dominate Namibia’s public space. We hear about economic growth, foreign investment, oil discoveries, mining expansion, GDP forecasts, and development plans. Politicians speak proudly of progress. Investors speak confidently of opportunity. Government reports point to stability and economic potential. Yet there are other conversations that rarely receive the same attention such as the growing sea of tin (kambashus) shacks surrounding our towns and cities; the rising cost of fuel; the increasing price of water and electricity; the young…

Lazarus Kwedhi Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s recent call for “humanity over profit” in housing loan repayments has struck a nerve. Many Namibians are struggling with repossessions, arrears, and the fear of losing homes they have spent decades paying for. The Prime Minister deserves credit for raising the issue and forcing it back onto the national agenda. But good intentions or political speeches do not guarantee good policy, in this case, if the diagnosis is wrong, which means the cure will not work. The Prime Minister's central complaint is that banks offer 20-year home loans while cars are financed over five…

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The recent Conference of the Left in South Africa should not be viewed merely as another ideological gathering within the country’s crowded political landscape. Rather, it represents a symptom of a deeper structural transition unfolding across Southern Africa, one in which the historical legitimacy of liberation movements is steadily weakening while no new political paradigm has yet emerged with sufficient credibility to replace it. Call it “the interregnum of morbid symptoms" following a famous quote by Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci in his Prison Notebooks when he said “The crisis consists…

Johannes Hesekiel For most people, short-term insurance is something they only think about when life goes wrong. A burst geyser, a stolen cell phone, a car accident, a break in, or a sudden storm that damages a home. In those moments, emotions run high. Clients are stressed, frustrated or confused, and they want one thing more than anything else. They want reassurance. They want to know that someone is on their side. The truth is that insurance is not only about claims or premiums. At its core, it is a safety net that gives people confidence to live their lives…

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) When political victory gives way to the burden of governance Political movements are often forged in struggle. They emerge from dissatisfaction, mobilize citizens around a shared vision, and promise to transform society. During the journey to power, unity appears natural because attention is directed toward a common objective. Yet history repeatedly demonstrates that the greatest test of a movement is not winning power, it is governing after victory. The emerging political divide between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko offers a powerful illustration of…

Sakaria Johannes Private schools and tutorial centres have become an important part of Namibia's educational landscape. They complement public education, create employment opportunities, and provide learners with alternative pathways to academic success. Many of these institutions operate professionally and contribute positively to the country's development. However, an important question remains largely unexplored: Are teachers and other employees in the private education sector adequately protected? The enactment of the Education Act, 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020) was an important milestone in the regulation of education in Namibia. The Act provides a framework for the registration, governance, and operation of private…

By Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) More than three decades after Namibia’s independence, Founding Father Sam Nujoma’s call for responsibility, unity, and self determination remains a guide for Africa’s future. When Namibia attained independence on 21 March 1990, its founding president, Sam Nujoma, addressed a nation emerging from decades of colonial rule and liberation struggle. Standing before his people at a defining moment in African history, he declared: “As of today, we are masters of this vast land of our ancestors. The destiny of this country is now fully in our own hands. We should,…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro "Otjombinde community garden blossoms" was the screaming headline of an article in a recent edition of one of the local English dailies. Interestingly, the article was the second lead in that publication, a testimony to its importance, or pseudo-importance, if you will. Ordinarily, an article like this rarely finds its way into the mainstream media as a leading story. But of what use is a garden in the rural constituency of Otjombinde, worse still in the Omaheke Region which is traditionally a livestock-rearing and production area? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot help but think loudly, for lack of an…

Sem Billy David I Recently, the Minister of Gender and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, said that Namibia's Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015 now allows a mother in crisis to safely abandon her newborn baby at designated places such as police stations, hospitals, or schools without facing criminal charges, provided strict conditions are met. These efforts are meant to prevent baby dumping and protect innocent lives from suffering a harsh start to life. The intention is pure and should be welcomed. However, her statement raises serious concerns about how prepared we truly are to implement this in practice.…