Opinions

This Monday, the 9th of February, marked Constitution Day, the day when, 36 years ago, in 1990, the Constituent Assembly adopted the country’s constitution leading up to its coming into effect with the country’s independence the same year on 21 March. The question that begs to be asked is, 36 years after, is there cause for celebration? Is there any reason why 36 years after everyone in Namibia should celebrate this day, and why? Needless to say, the answer to such a question cannot but be mixed. While the Namibian Constitution is and must be ordinarily a source of pride…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Every year, the United Nations overwhelmingly condemns the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Every year, 187 nations vote against it. Every year, nothing changes. If 187 voices cry “wrong”, but the powerful continue as if the world never spoke, is that international law or theatre? And if it is theatre, who is the audience? And the joke is on whom? There is currently a human-generated humanitarian crisis taking place in Cuba, and Russia has warned that Cuba’s energy crisis is becoming critical because of the United States using “suffocating measures” against…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro WHITHERTO the Ovaherero and Nama Genocide? This question presents itself automatically but urgently and relevantly now and in this year, particularly this month of February when the African Union (AU) is having at the end of this week its 39th Summit. Where and with its agenda, including the milestone decision as per the Algiers Declaration of last year, that Africa resolve to make colonial crimes committed against her by formerly colonising powers a crime in international law. Needless to say, this summit must be of particular interest to the Ovaherero, Ovambanderu and Nama. In view of the genocide…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The hidden risks in Namibia’s new petroleum bill The founding father once upon a time spoke about how African states lost control, not suddenly, but gradually through agreements, concessions, and legal frameworks made early and justified as “necessary at the time". That warning was never abstract. It reflected a hard historical lesson: sovereignty is rarely surrendered in a single moment. It is diluted quietly, legally, and incrementally long before the consequences become visible. Petroleum governance that relies on internal executive control rather than independent, enforceable oversight contradicts the very idea…

Mufaro Nesongano As we have entered the new working year after the festive break, individuals and organisations are reminded that the beginning of the year is one of the most active periods for cybercrime. The start of the year has become one of the most critical months for cybersecurity. While many people associate cyber threats with the busy holiday period in December, the weeks after the holidays are often at even higher risk of cybersecurity threats. During the festive period, many employees travelled with their work laptops, connected to public or home Wi-Fi, and sometimes used work devices for personal…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Every 9 February, Namibia marks Constitution Day with speeches, symbolism, and celebration. Yet a constitution is not honoured by ritual alone. Its true test lies not in anniversary tributes, but in how faithfully it restrains power, protects dignity, and guides governance when political interests are at stake. Constitution Day should therefore be less about comfort and more about conscience. The constitutional amendments of 2014 were a masterstroke executed not against the Constitution, but through it. Their camouflaged protagonists acted lawfully, strategically, and with full awareness of the consequences, including by…

Daniel Ndayamohamba Every office, hospital, church, road, and public facility you see today has been made possible by hard-working individuals who chose Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Beyond engineers and architecture, it is the general workers, electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, mechanics, IT technicians, and bricklayers who keep our society functioning. TVET practitioners are key contributors to development. Yet, despite their impact, a damaging misconception persists that TVET is a fallback choice for those who did not qualify for university. It is time to challenge this mindset and recognise TVET as a respected and essential pathway to success. A…

Sakaria Johannes Namibia’s legal system, rooted in Roman-Dutch law, remains one of the most enduring legacies of colonialism. While political independence was achieved in 1990, the law that governs land ownership, labour relations, and family definitions largely predates independence and was never designed to address African social realities. This raises an unavoidable question: does Roman-Dutch law still serve Namibia’s developmental and social needs, or does it quietly preserve historical injustice under the guise of legal continuity? Roman-Dutch law offers undeniable strengths. It provides legal certainty, institutional stability, and a judiciary that commands respect both locally and internationally. These features have…