Opinions – Page 2 – News Stand

23 Mar

The meaning of independence: A reflection on Namibia’s 35th anniversary

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Sakaria Johannes As Namibia celebrates 35 years of independence, it is a time for reflection on what independence truly means and how far we have come since the dawn of freedom. For many Namibians, independence signifies the end of colonial rule, the promise of a better future, and the vision of equality and freedom. However, despite the triumphs of liberation, we must critically assess the state of our nation today. Are we truly free? What have we achieved since we gained our independence, and are we living the dream our forefathers fought for? What Have We Achieved So Far? While…

19 Mar

The battle for Cuito Cuanavale: Annual commemoration of Southern Africa liberation day, 23 March 2025, in honour of the late founding president and father of the Namibian nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

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P T SHIPALE I. PROLOGUE For the seventh time this year, SADC will commemorate the Southern Africa Liberation Day which marked the end to one of the fiercest battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Southern Angola, on 23rd March 1988. The historic and decisive battle of Cuito Cuanavale, where the combined FAPLA Forces of Angola together with the Cuban Internationalist Forces and the Combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), SWAPO’s Military Wing, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy forces and forced the apartheid regime to the negotiation table on 19th March 1989. This led to the signing of…

18 Mar

African Artificial Intelligence (AAI): A catalyst for African development

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Kehad Snydewe "Don't judge a fish by how it rides a bicycle" is a favorite saying of mine, as I believe it sums up the experience of some organizations giving advice. It's my position that 'one size does not fit all.' Teaching a fish to ride a bicycle doesn't work. Thinking we can implement general solutions for individuals and specific challenges simply doesn't work. This got me thinking about Artificial Intelligence. AI holds immense potential for Africa to drive development, innovation, and economic growth. If harnessed and leveraged within an African context, it’s a tremendous strategic asset that can catalyze…

18 Mar

A STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS, AND STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE

info_e12wt4csFeatured, OpinionsA STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS

By P. T. Shipale The Confidénte newspaper (March 14-20, 2025) reports that Namibia’s President-elect and newly appointed SWAPO leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is taking decisive action to reform the executive branch of government. In a bold move to improve efficiency, cut costs, and facilitate more effective decision-making, the President-elect plans to restructure the Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to between 12 and 15. Additionally, she is considering eliminating the positions of Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Ministers. In 2004 when the government amended the constitution in order to create a Vice-President’s position, I asked the question to find out…

16 Mar

Limited access to energy and its negative effects on gender

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Lilongeni Unoovene With the proverbial energy poverty that rural communities are faced with, it is safe to say that it has adverse impacts on the social well-being of women and children living in those areas. It is a common truth that limited access to clean, or rather, green energy has detrimental effects on women's health and economic opportunities. This can be witnessed as their living conditions and their productive time use are compromised due to the utilisation of conventional biofuels. The main producers and consumers of household energy are women and children. Contextually, women and girls in African culture are…

13 Mar

Is there cause to celebrate 35 years or not?

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Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Next Friday, Namibia will turn 35 years old. If Namibia were a human being, one would have considered him or her a grown-up and middle-aged and thus expected her/him to be mature enough to either be entrusted with crucial decisions in life or be entrusted with full responsibility for his life. Because a person is already considered mature—although not that mature— by the age of 21 years. This is symbolised by giving them a key, The key symbolises the transition to adulthood, the assumption of new responsibilities, and the unlocking of opportunities and independence. Intriguing enough it seems…

13 Mar

Avoid project abandonment

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Sem Billy I. David In any growing city, successfully implementing development projects is crucial to improving residents' lives. The City of Windhoek, together with the Regional Council Office, are responsible for ensuring that projects meet the requirements of the people and should be completed efficiently and on time. However, there have been mounting concerns regarding delays, mismanagement, and even abandonment of projects in Windhoek, especially in the informal settlement, such as Mix Settlement (Mix Primary School, started 2023 till now not completed), Groot Aub, Havana (road infrastructures, Schools and Hospitals) and Goreangab Dam, which ultimately damage service delivery and public…

13 Mar

On the cabinet of the new dawn and a missed opportunity to self-correct and set the tone of a unifier and a democrat

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P T SHIPALE The Confidante newspaper of 03 March 2025, aptly described this moment as a dawns of a new era on the SWAPO Party, signalling a shift in leadership paradigm under the first female elected leader in the region, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the end of an old era which coincides with the passing of Africa’s last liberation icon, Dr. Sam Nujoma. Similarly, the editorial of the Namibian Sun Newspaper of Tuesday, 11 March 2025, properly described the moment as President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah’s defining test as she finalizes her Cabinet. This time, the stakes could not be higher. The editorial further…

06 Mar

Tackling poor sanitation is a critical step toward a healthier cleaner and, more prosperous Namibia

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Wayambekange N Hamufenhu Sanitation is often overlooked and remains largely invisible to many, yet it has far-reaching consequences. We face an invisible enemy that impacts millions of Namibians daily: “inadequate sanitation”. Despite the undeniable connection between sanitation and improvements in public health, economic productivity, education, and environmental sustainability, this critical issue remains underfunded, overlooked, and inadequately addressed. For Namibia to secure a prosperous future, it must recognize sanitation not just as an infrastructure need but as a foundational pillar of development. The country must confront this issue head-on by investing more resources and adopting a multisectoral approach to tackle the…

06 Mar

Tatekulu’s legacy is not about holding on to, abetting capitalism!

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Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro “Celebrating a Revolutionary, Honouring an African Icon” has been the theme during the mourning of the passing of the Founding President and Father of the Nation, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma. Indeed, such accolades are befitting of Tatekulu given his dedication to Namibia’s liberation struggle, following in the footsteps of nationalists such as Ovaherero Ombara Otjitambi, Hosea Katjikururume Komombumbi Kutako, and others. Pathfinders and pioneers of the resistance movement who passed on the baton to the Kaukuetus, Nujomas, Garoës, and Beukeses, steering the cause all the way to the country's freedom and independence on the 21st of March, 1990.…