Opinions

The Namibian Education System: A Call for Accountability and Real Change

Andreas Robert The education system in Namibia has long been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny, with many attributing its shortcomings to the system itself. However, I firmly believe that it is not the structure or curriculum that is failing us, but rather the individuals responsible for overseeing and implementing these systems. This reality has often been ignored in discussions about the future of education in Namibia. As an experienced educator and high school counselor, I feel compelled to address these issues and advocate for a critical reevaluation of the leadership, accountability, and attitudes that shape our educational landscape.…
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Relative and absolute poverty in Namibia

Pierre Mare I wanted to write a light-hearted comment about relative poverty and mobile bandwidth but a couple of posts about people who have electricity yet can't afford to use it gave pause for thought. Also note pedestrians carrying water to their households, showing they can't afford that utility either (nor the taxi). Relative poverty, in a nutshell, is when people have potential access to utilities, products and services but can't afford them (relative to others) and make trade-offs. Absolute poverty is when people fall below the income level necessary for basic needs such as food, housing and healthcare. Namibia…
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Namibia’s Youth Hold the Key to Tomorrow

Paul Nanyeni I was happy to attend the launch of the Namibian Population and Housing Census main report at Country Club (30.10.2024) The report showed that Namibia's population under 34 years of age is around 2.1 Million (0-14 *1.1 Mil, 15-34 *1.0 Mil) and then population above 60 years is a mere *261000 something. The group held power, and they recycled themselves in positions to eat until the last breath. Unemployment is high, and with this young generation, we need to proactively plan for the future of this generation! Countries like Namibia, with a young population, face several challenges, including:…
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Part III; Patriotic history vs revisionist/ oppositional narrative; A response to Ndumba J. Kamwanyah

Part III; Patriotic history vs revisionist/ oppositional narrative; A response to Ndumba J. Kamwanyah

Paul T Shipale With this third insert on the review of the biography of the late Bishop Peter T. Kalangula, allow me to respond to Ndumba J. Kamwanyah who alleged that I “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.” Kamwanyah also said that I accused the author of the biography, Nelson T. Kalangula, of being biased because he is related to the late Bishop. Far from it! What I said was “the author of the biography Nelson T. Kalangula, who is related…
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Namibia has much to expect from Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership

Namibia has much to expect from Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership

Josua Maponga Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is on her way to the State House,to make history as Namibia's first female president. She is a mobile library of the institutional knowledge of SWAPO and the government. She is a leader at heart and an ideal candidate for the 2024 election. She has cut her teeth in the Political space for over four decades now and has demonstrated unwavering dedication to her country and its people. Born on October 29, 1952, in OnaImutai, northern Namibia. Ndaitwah joined SWAPO's diplomatic efforts at a tender age in 1974 and later became the party's deputy representative in…
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One History but Multiple Voices: A Response to Paul T. Shipale

One History but Multiple Voices: A Response to Paul T. Shipale

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…
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Job Opportunities in Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Sector

Job Opportunities in Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Sector

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…
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Unpacking Netumbo’s leadership vision for Namibia

Unpacking Netumbo’s leadership vision for Namibia

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…
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Namibia and South Africa – Partners in History, Allies in the Future

Namibia and South Africa – Partners in History, Allies in the Future

Bo Mbindwane As Namibia moves toward elections, it’s a critical moment to recognize not only the nation’s historical legacy but also its potential future. A strikingly important yet often overlooked aspect of Namibia’s past is its experience under apartheid—a story as profound and painful as that of neighboring South Africa. Like Nelson Mandela, Namibian leaders sacrificed their freedom on Robben Island for decades to dismantle an oppressive system, striving for independence and equality for all Namibians. But while South Africa’s apartheid struggle is rightly honored on the world stage, Namibia’s history is frequently marginalized, often omitted from discussions about global…
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What fundamental socio-economic principles underpin political manifestos?

What fundamental socio-economic principles underpin political manifestos?

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…
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