Opinions

Ndumba J Kamwanyah In his Windhoek Observer ( online) response of my review of Nelson T. Kalangula’s book A Namibian of Stature, The Namibian 2 October 2024, Paul Shipale seem to push for a narrow view of history, suggesting that Namibia’s liberation struggle should only be understood through the lens of SWAPO’s master narrative. While he has every right to share his perspective, I believe it’s important for him to acknowledge that history is a complex and contested space. It’s not a single story, but one made up of multiple voices and perspectives, each attempting to contribute to a fuller…

Joseph Mukendwa Namibia's Green Hydrogen sector isn’t just about producing energy—it represents a full value chain that involves producing, handling, storing, and transporting hydrogen. More than that, it has the potential to boost local industries, such as producing Green Hot Briquetted Iron and processing critical raw materials, which can drive the country’s industrial growth. According to the Green Industrialisation Blueprint, fully developing Namibia's synthetic fuel strategy could create up to 250,000 jobs. This includes about 185,000 direct jobs from green hydrogen activities, like building wind and solar farms, operating pipelines, and assembling electrolysers, and around 70,000 jobs related to concrete…

Toini Sam Netumbo Ndemupelila Nandi-Ndaitwah ( NNNN) has served in various leadership positions and demonstrated her dedication to the Namibian nation. Her leadership vision is forward-looking and centered on a social economic developmental model grounded in five key principles: Pragmatism, Integrity, Accountability, Meritocracy, and Inclusivity, abbreviated as (PIAMI), which she relates to Namibia’s context - simple yet effective and efficient. Netumbo aims to build on her predecessors’ legacy with creativity and innovation while promoting these principles. Despite numerous challenges, she has remained resilient and committed to serving her people beyond the call of duty. She is a tried and tested…

Kae Matundu YOURS Truly Ideologically has lately been glancing through the election manifestos of some of the political parties and formations taking part in next month’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, thereby staking with them the claim to be the next government after the elections depending on their performance at the polls. The changes they are promising to bring about are equally premised on one cardinal aspect, which may be motivating them to stake their claims to power. The Swapo Party of Namibia, the ruling party for the past 34 years since Namibia's independence, has been accused of perceived inability…

Paul T Shipale Firstly, Muzorewa slowly entered into the turbulent Black Nationalist politics when the radical white Bishop Ralph Edward Dodge, Head of the United Methodist Church between 1956 and 1964 was deported in 1964. The deportation Order asked Bishop Dodge to leave Rhodesia within fifteen days as from 16 July 1964. The main reason was that Dodge had characteristically defied ‘white Rhodesian tradition’ by insisting on ‘eating with blacks, staying with blacks and riding on the same buses with African pastors, to the extent it was possible to become one with the people and churches he had been sent…

Paul T. Shipale There is a new trend in post-colonial Namibia which inspires and propels the publishing of political autobiographies and memoirs by theologians, ex-combatants, politicians, journalists, public servants etc. Indeed, currently in vogue is the re-writing of the dead and forgotten by either their friends or children. The biography of the late Bishop Peter Tanyengenge Kalangula titled: ‘A Namibian of Stature’, authored by Nelson T. Kalangula, falls in this category as one of the recent writings that are meant to immortalise some people and indicate a growing interest in re-membering the ‘heroic deeds of those who are not pedestalled…

Kae Matundu Many, if not most, of the political parties and/or formations aspiring to form the next government of the Republic of Namibia after the 27 November Presidential and National Assembly elections have now presented their manifestos. These manifestos encapsulate the aspirations of those who have embraced them. For all intents and purposes, the contents of these manifestos and those of some others amount to nothing more than hollow promises that border on fantasy. With political analysts, the very ones who have been insisting on these manifestos, reducing some, if not all of them, to nothing but mere political hallucinations.…

Yemisi Akinbobola As we reflect on Breast Cancer Awareness Month , I am reminded of the crucial role we as key media actors play in shaping the conversations around women's health, especially breast cancer. For too long, discussions about breast cancer and other women's health issues have been clouded by cultural taboos, and it is time we use our platforms to change that. The theme for this year, No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone, speaks volumes about the power of connection and community. We, as storytellers and information gatekeepers, can foster dialogue that encourages support for those navigating breast…