Robben Island

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…