Opinions

Is, and can, a growing middle class be the answer to Namibia's entrenched socio-economic ills, highlighted by inequalities and poverty, which seem to have been growing exponentially since independence, thereby retarding the desired socio-economic progress? A socio-economic progress that could be considered meaningful, in the least in starting to address the deficits of colonialism in terms of advancement among especially the majority of the indigenous people, the political and ideological masses, and workers. Yours Truly Ideologically is posing this question, prompted by indeed the genuine concern of the President expressed at the One Economy Foundation's recent fundraiser. Certainly the appropriate…

“Every year, universities train young people in policing and criminal justice, and thousands more apply to join NamPol. Yet the specialised posts open to graduates remain very few”. Mandume Gabriel      Every year, institutions such as NUST and STADIO send out young men and women trained in criminal justice, police science, legal studies and cyber security.  Many have one wish: to serve the public through the police. But when they look at the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) adverts, the door for them is very narrow. This is not an attack on the police. It is a call to reform a vital…

Lazarus Kwedhi We did not pay municipal bills to pay City staff salaries and benefits, nor did we vote for councillors to promote the colonial and apartheid municipal system of governance. We pay municipal bills and vote for councillors because we want an enabling city to meet the needs and aspirations of its residents. At this juncture, we must bury our pride in shame. We can no longer ignore the writing on the wall. The City of Windhoek, which brands itself a "Caring City," is practising double standard and punitive governance against its own residents. We once rightly blamed the…

The law must apply equally to everyone Sem Billy David Windhoek resident’s response to the presence of Angolan women and children in Windhoek has raised serious questions about why City of Windhoek Council passed a resolution to remove the penge ondola (give a dollar) kids and a command seems suspended due to prime minister intervention. The City of Windhoek reportedly adopted a resolution calling for the removal of these children from the city, and municipal enforcement officers were expected to implement that decision. However, the order was allegedly not carried out after intervention from the Prime Minister. If this account…

Soini Nampala A Constitutional Court is a critical institution to consider in strengthening constitutional compliance, administrative justice, and the protection of democracy. As an advocate for sound national laws, effective policies, appropriate regulations, and accountable governance, my heart is filled with gratitude at the motion introduced in parliament to reform Namibia’s judicial system through the establishment of a Constitutional Court. Namibia is a constitutional democracy governed by the Rule of Law, not the rule of an individual or a group of people. The Constitution must remain the supreme law of our Republic, binding all citizens, institutions, and organs of the…

Why SRC and LRC training matters in Namibia Tim Martins In Namibia, young people make up an important part of the country’s future. Schools, colleges and universities are not only places where young people acquire academic knowledge; they are also environments where future leaders are developed. Student Representative Councils (SRCs) and Learner Representative Councils (LRCs) play an important role in this process by giving young people an opportunity to represent their peers, participate in decision-making and develop leadership experience. However, being elected as an SRC or LRC member comes with responsibilities that cannot be taken lightly.  Leaders are expected to…

Jeronimo Kateya From the ancient canals of Wuzhen to Windhoek's digital ambitions, Beijing's message yesterday was clear: the future of the internet must be open, shared, and inclusive. The 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit will be held from November 2 to 5 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China, organizers announced at a press conference held in Beijing on September 29, 2026. The summit, hosted by the World Internet Conference and organized by the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, will run under the theme Open Source and Openness, Collaborative Development and Shared Benefits - Jointly Building a Community with a…

Customer Service Week is a good moment to ask about the five miles we put in the customer’s way Linda Shininge Customer Service Week runs from 5 to 9 October, with Global Customer Experience Day on the 6th. Across Namibia, organisations will thank the people who serve customers every day. That is deserved. But it invites a harder question: why does anyone need to go the extra mile in the first place? Peter Drucker argued in The Practice of Management (1954) that a business's purpose is to create a customer. Most organisations would agree. Look at how they are built,…