Opinions

The forgotten architect of education – Why Namibia must honour Nahas Angula

The forgotten architect of education – Why Namibia must honour Nahas Angula

Sakaria Johannes  In Namibia’s journey from colonialism to independence, many names have been etched into history. But not all of them have been celebrated equally. One such overlooked figure is Nahas Gideon Angula, a key architect of Namibia’s education system and a quiet giant of nation-building. Angula served as Namibia’s first Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport after independence in 1990. Tasked with dismantling the apartheid-era education system, he led the transformation toward an inclusive and equitable system that aimed to serve all Namibians, not just a privileged few. Under his leadership, sweeping reforms were introduced. A new national…
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HPV Vaccination Rollout—Safe, Effective, and Powered by Gardasil 4

HPV Vaccination Rollout—Safe, Effective, and Powered by Gardasil 4

Dr. BD Platt Medical history has taught us that vaccination has remained one of the most successful stories of the 21st century. It is safe to say that no other medical intervention has revolutionised healthcare and global quality of life as much as safe vaccination. Perhaps only the dawn of antibiotic usage remains a close second. Dreaded viral diseases once rampant and incurable, have many been relegated to the aisles of medical history books through active effective vaccination. If I could rewind perhaps our memories back to the 1980s, Small pox; a dreaded disease that once debilitated human for centuries…
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Namibian sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the United Democratic Party’s quest for the independence of Caprivi

Namibian sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the United Democratic Party’s quest for the independence of Caprivi

Lazarus Kwedhi The United Democratic Party’s (UDP) push for the so-called independence of Caprivi, hereafter referred to as the Zambezi Region—separating it from Namibia—is not a democratic right under Namibia’s constitutional democracy. It is, in fact, an act of treason against the Namibian state.  The Namibian Defence Force has a constitutional duty to protect the country’s territorial integrity, and it must do so without hesitation against the UDP’s secessionist attempts to divide Namibia. If not, it is a bad precedent to seek to destabilise national peace and has the potential to compromise the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The independence…
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Honoring the Titan, Interrogating the Legacy: Nujoma and the Art of Brinkmanship

Honoring the Titan, Interrogating the Legacy: Nujoma and the Art of Brinkmanship

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Windhoek recently witnessed a familiar ritual: the honoring of a giant. The launch of a lavish coffee table and Pictorial book celebrating Founding Father Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma served as a potent reminder of the liberation generation – those figures across our continent who stared into the abyss of colonial power and dared it to blink. Attended by Namibia’s political and business elite, the event pulsed with reverence for the man synonymous with the nation’s birth. Yet, beneath the veneer of celebratory unity, deeper, more unsettling questions stirred about legacy, leadership, and…
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Would NNN’s laws, policies’ reforms be daring enough to rock Capitalism?

Would NNN’s laws, policies’ reforms be daring enough to rock Capitalism?

Kae Matundu These days one sees the top brass scurrying around to get on the law reform bandwagon as announced recently by Her Excellency, Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah (NNN), in a bid and attempt see changes in laws for the better delivery of public services.  On the face of it, and if it is not  just a  matter of a new broom trying to sweep clean, seeing and ensuring the  delivery of services, and/or for that matter the betterment of public services, is indeed a commendable intent. But with hindsight Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but think loudly if such a call for…
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The potential in organising poultry producers to enhance local production

The potential in organising poultry producers to enhance local production

Hanks Saisai  According to the Namibian Poultry Producers' Association (PPA), the Namibian poultry industry 's production value reached N$1.74 billion in 2024, representing an approximate 13% increase from the N$1.5 billion recorded in 2023. The sector now stands as the second-largest contributor to Namibia's agricultural production, trailing only the cattle industry, which recorded an estimated N$3.2 billion in 2024, according to the PPA. With poultry products (eggs and meat) being among the most affordable protein sources for many households in Namibia, this presents an ideal opportunity for local poultry farmers to get organised and enjoy a fair market share of…
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Corporate Social Investment serves as a conduit for sustainable development

Corporate Social Investment serves as a conduit for sustainable development

Veripura Muukua The call for the private sector to join forces with the government to drive socio-economic and sustainable development through public-private partnerships, collaboration, and/or policy development has become more pertinent than ever.  Over the years, Corporate Social Investment (CSI), traditionally referring to a company's broad ethical obligations and commitment to societal welfare, has evolved into one of these conduits: a strategic imperative practice through which companies forge meaningful partnerships with government and civil society to invest in their communities, address poverty, and achieve sustainable development collectively. Sometimes, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) are used interchangeably.…
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Tips for finding a suitable home during the winter season in Namibia

Tips for finding a suitable home during the winter season in Namibia

Denver Beukes  There is something magical about finding a home during the winter season in Namibia. Imagine moving into a cosy house with a fireplace, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Namibian landscape. Winter can highlight the charm and warmth of a home, making it feel even more inviting. Winter in Namibia is a unique and beautiful time of year. The cooler temperatures and clear skies create an ideal backdrop for house hunting. While many people might think that summer is the best time to buy a home, winter offers its own set of advantages that can make your…
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The crisis of fixing what is not broken: Teachers’ unemployment- a call to put things right

The crisis of fixing what is not broken: Teachers’ unemployment- a call to put things right

Lazarus Kwedhi The ongoing demonstrations by  unemployed teaching graduates demanding the government to abolish the interview process and implement mass recruitment are not surprising, given the reality on the ground. The unemployment rate among teaching graduates is estimated to have risen to 15,000 over the past two years. This trend is likely to continue if their demands are not addressed. This issue is not complex. From a public policy perspective, it's a classic case of market failure—caused by the very government decision-makers who, in their wisdom, saw it fit to reform the teacher training system. Specifically, they abolished and merged…
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Omuthiya at a crossroads: A Call to rescue Oshikoto

Omuthiya at a crossroads: A Call to rescue Oshikoto

Isak Tuyoleni Haimbodi Omuthiya, the capital of the Oshikoto region, stands as a symbol of both promise and neglect. Despite its administrative status, the town suffers from poor infrastructure, limited economic activity, and a glaring absence of higher education institutions. Across the region, residents face crumbling roads, inadequate healthcare, and high unemployment, all worsened by political inaction. Oshikoto’s youth face major obstacles to accessing tertiary education. While most regions host institutions such as UNAM, NUST, or IUM, Omuthiya has none. A long-promised vocational training centre remains unrealised, despite land having been allocated. Only a few under-resourced private colleges operate in…
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