Opinions – Page 16 – Windhoek Observer

25 Jul

THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF PRESIDENT NANDI-NDAITWAH THROUGH THE LENS OF FREIRE AND UNGER’S EMPOWERED DEMOCRACY: FROM SYMBOLISM TO SUBSTANCE

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PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Abstract This analysis examines President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's inaugural 100 days through the theoretical frameworks of Paulo Freire's conscientization and Roberto Mangabeira Unger's institutional reinvention. Moving beyond ceremonial assessments, this scholarly examination interrogates the substantive transformation of Namibian governance structures and the symbolic yet significant declaration of Nujoma Day. The analysis provides an honest evaluation of performance metrics while establishing a framework for understanding the trajectory from electoral promises to developmental praxis. Introduction: The Crucible of Transformative Leadership Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah first 100 days in office have marked a decisive shift in Namibia’s…

25 Jul

Let’s confront the spectre of tribalism before it consumes us

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Tribalism is rearing its ugly head in Namibia. What was once whispered in hushed tones has now found a loudspeaker in burning food stalls, toxic social media narratives, and widening social fault lines. The recent incident in Otjinene — where food stalls belonging to Aawambo and Ovazemba people were torched, reportedly by members of the Ovaherero community — is not just an isolated act of criminality. It is a symptom of a deeper, more dangerous illness spreading through our national fabric: a growing sense of ethnic resentment. The background to this violent escalation is as tragic as it is telling.…

25 Jul

Stop studying the problem. Start equipping the youth.

Opinions

Nrupesh Soni I’ve been in too many rooms where “youth empowerment” is thrown around like confetti at a national pity party. Boardrooms, conference halls, panel discussions, and press releases—all overflowing with the language of potential. But when the talk is over and the confetti is swept away, nobody is handing over the tools. Let’s be brutally honest. We don’t have a shortage of ideas or intelligence among Namibian youth. We have a crisis of access. A deficit of trust. A paralysis of action. And most of all, we have a surplus of committees, reports, and roundtables. I've had the privilege…

24 Jul

When the Cost of Living Becomes the Cost of Life.

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

In recent months, Namibia has borne witness to a heartbreaking and deeply troubling trend: a spate of suicides among teachers — the very custodians of our children’s futures. These tragedies are not isolated incidents. They are echoes of a deeper national pain — one rooted in financial strain, psychological isolation, and a silent war waged every day in households across this country. The teaching profession has always demanded sacrifice: long hours, modest salaries, and an unwavering emotional investment in others. But when those giving so much to society find themselves drowning in debt, struggling to feed their families, and confronting…

24 Jul

Namibia must embrace its indigenous languages for unity, identity and justice

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Ndaindila Allexer Namundjembo In the heart of every nation lies its language. It shapes how people think, relate to one another, and understand the world around them.In Namibia, a land blessed with rich linguistic and cultural diversity, our languages are fading into silence, not because they are unworthy, but because our systems continue to elevate the colonial tongue above our own.It is time for Namibia to radically reimagine its language policy. We must embrace and institutionalise our indigenous languages, not just as national symbols, but as living and functional communication tools in governance, education and public life.Each region should be…

22 Jul

Beyond the feed: What social media gets right, and what it can’t do alone

Opinions

Angela Ndatipo A few years ago, social media was considered the new frontier in marketing and communication. Social media platforms promised brands a direct line to their audiences due to its setup of being fast, dynamic, and disruptive, in this respect it has delivered on this promise in more ways than one. The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has embraced this new and emerging technology as it has become a vital tool to share news, views, updates, and can respond to queries, and speak to our members in an engaging, personal, and accessible manner to many. But here’s the one…

22 Jul

Windhoek’s tap water: Among the safest to drink in Africa

Opinions

Harold Bolla Akwenye The City of Windhoek would like to assure its residents and the broader public that our tap water is not only safe for consumption but is also ranked among the safest and most advanced in Africa—if not globally. Windhoek has long been a pioneer in sustainable water management, standing tall as the first city in the world to implement Direct Potable Reuse (DPR)—a highly advanced process where treated wastewater is directly returned to the drinking water network. Today, the Windhoek Goreangab Operating Company (WINGOC), which oversees the city’s state-of-the-art purification facility, continues to set global benchmarks in…

22 Jul

The quintessential intellectual-RBK

Opinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro I have purposefully titled this tribute to Rikondja Ben Karamata The Quintessential Intellectual. Because despite having been many different things to me during what I would say have been a short sojourn that I have been and come to be and know him, more than a good time, and indeed it has been a good time of knowing him. A good time while to many and most may have seemed like a time of socializing, it has been for me more a time of fertilising off his rich intellectual proclivities. During the time I have had the…

22 Jul

Success is not copy-paste: Charting your own path to a meaningful future

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Ester Shangandi & Junias Erasmus . In our pursuit of success, it is natural to look around for examples that inspire us. Often, we find motivation in those closest to us, family members, mentors, or even neighbours who seem to be living the life we desire. For instance, if your neighbour (From the village) owns a beautiful house in the expensive suburb, drives a nice car, and appears fulfilled, it is easy to think that studying the same programme or walking the same professional path will yield similar results. While this reaction is human and understandable, it also presents a…

22 Jul

NDP6: Big Promises, Thin Substance — But We Must Still Hope

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President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s launch of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) marked a historic moment - not only as Namibia’s first female Head of State, taking the reins of long-term national planning, but also as a leader seeking to chart a new direction in the face of stagnating growth. Her leadership carries the promise of renewal. NDP6 presents an ambitious blueprint that speaks to the country’s most pressing concerns—economic diversification, youth empowerment, climate resilience, and national cohesion. Namibia is not short of plans. From Vision 2030 to Harambee Prosperity plan and five previous NDP’s, the country has demonstrated an admirable…