Opinions

Recently, I received a visit from a Nigerian colleague who had travelled to Namibia to consult on nationhood branding.As we walked through Windhoek’s central district, he stopped abruptly, surveyed the cityscape, and asked with visible confusion, “Where are your cultural markers?” A few minutes later, after observing more concrete, glass, and corporate branding than any trace of Namibian cultural presence, he looked at me and said, “You guys are so culturally cautious that you are killing your identity.” His remark, although delivered lightly, struck me with unexpected force. It was embarrassing, not only because he was right, but because his…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The analysis of minister Selma Ashipala-Musayi’s response to the United Kingdom’s concerns offers a lens through which to examine how diplomacy itself has evolved and what this evolution means for states navigating an increasingly complex global environment. While the minister’s position reflects honourable and historically significant diplomatic virtues, the global system in which these virtues operate has transformed. This episode illustrates a broader lesson for contemporary foreign policy: classical diplomatic principles remain necessary, but they are no longer sufficient. Diplomacy has shifted from a state-centric model to a networked system…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro The President has announced task forces for the recovery of the economy, health, housing and land. What the various task forces need to do about these four areas of socio-economic endeavour may, perhaps, sooner rather than later, become clear and expanded and expounded on further on. By Her Excellency herself, perhaps by the task teams themselves. That is if such expounding and clarification may be part of their briefs and mandates. Needless to say, their briefs and mandates need further explication.  Regarding the economy and its propounded recovery, it is a well-known fact that the Namibian economy has,…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah observes that Modestus Amutse’s leadership record at the regional level strengthens the experience he brings to his new role as Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy. We agree with those who are saying that this ministry needs someone at the helm who has outstanding analytical and communication skills, a deep understanding of energy and mining policies and leadership experience in the field. Someone who has the capability to integrate mining into the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) to enhance implementation by aligning the sector with national economic…