Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Transformational leadership is Namibia’s greatest development challenge Namibia is widely recognised as one of Africa’s most politically stable nations. Its democratic institutions, rule of law, strategic Atlantic coastline, abundant uranium, diamonds, critical minerals, fisheries, tourism potential, and emerging green hydrogen industry position the country to become one of Southern Africa’s leading economies. Yet history teaches a sobering lesson that political stability alone does not create prosperity. Around the world, countries have adopted impressive development plans, attracted international investment, and discovered valuable natural resources, only to fall short because they lacked…

Staff Writer  The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) reported a 16.9% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to R652 million for the six months ended 30 June 2026, supported by stronger market activity, revenue growth and disciplined cost management. The exchange operator’s revenue increased by 14.1% year-on-year to R1.88 billion, while operating income rose 14.6% to R1.96 billion from R1.71 billion in the prior comparative period. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) increased by 18.8% to 816.2 cents, compared with 687 cents in the first half of 2025, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 18.1% to…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro How, when, where, and why could the Namibian government have gotten it all wrong? These remain four of the biggest pertinent questions, among a plethora of questions, regarding the untenable – but by no means irreversible and inextricable – situation in which the demand of the Ovaherero and Nama for justice pertaining to their genocide has been indifferently and negligently, if not maliciously and deliberately, diverted and driven into. For sure, there can be no other perspective and/or logical conclusion, at least in the eyes, dissection, digestion, and understanding, let alone imagination, of the descendants of the forebears…

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) “The greatest tribute to history is not remembering those who fought for our freedom, but living by the principles for which they fought.” More than six decades after the great wave of African liberation movements began to dismantle colonial rule, a difficult but necessary question confronts the continent’s leaders, particularly those who continue to govern under the banner of liberation: Have Africa’s liberation movements forgotten Fidel Castro not merely the man, but the ideals he brought to Africa? This question is not about replacing African heroes with foreign figures. Africa’s…

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Angola’s wake up call The recent cyberattack that disrupted one of Angola’s largest telecommunications operators should not be dismissed as an isolated technological failure. Nor should it be viewed merely as a corporate incident affecting a single company. It is a warning to every African nation that increasingly depends on digital infrastructure to run its economy, deliver public services and safeguard national security. For Namibia, the question is not whether such an attack could happen. The question is whether the country is prepared when it inevitably does. History teaches us…

Leon Barnard The article correctly identifies inequality as Namibia’s unfinished business. From an urban design perspective, however, one further point must be made: economic inequality is not merely visible in geography; it is reinforced by the way we continue to plan, regulate and build our settlements. Apartheid deliberately created the divided city. Residential areas were separated by race, income and function. The majority of people were placed far from employment, education, commerce and public institutions. Roads, railways, industrial areas and undeveloped buffer zones were used as instruments of separation. Political independence ended the legal basis of that system, but it…

Today’s launch of the public consultation on Namibia’s Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan (s-TIP) may not generate the excitement of a new mine, a presidential announcement or a major investment deal. Yet it could prove to be one of the most consequential economic conversations Namibia has had in years. As entrepreneurs, we often complain that government develops policies behind closed doors, only inviting the private sector once decisions have already been made. This consultation offers something different. It presents an opportunity for businesses, investors, researchers, communities and ordinary Namibians to shape how our country positions itself in what is rapidly becoming…

FRANCOIS SMITH  Insurance works on a simple idea. Many people contribute so that those who face a loss can be supported. For that to work, the information shared at the start needs to be honest and complete. Disclosure is really just being upfront about the risks you bring. It is not paperwork for the sake of it. It is what keeps premiums fair. When you apply for cover, the questions can feel detailed, sometimes uncomfortable. They ask about your driving record, your health, your security measures and your past claims. There is a reason for this. Not everyone carries the…

The announcement by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare that government has established an 11-member task force to review governance and remuneration in Namibia’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has reignited a debate that has simmered for years. For some, the move represents a long-overdue intervention into a public sector plagued by uneven salary structures, weak governance and declining public confidence. For others, it is merely another commission destined to produce an excellent report that ultimately gathers dust on a government shelf. The skepticism is understandable. Namibia has no shortage of commissions, inquiries, task forces and policy reviews. What has often been lacking is…