Editorial

The decision by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) to introduce stricter rules governing the appointment of bid evaluation committee members marks yet another attempt to tighten the screws on Namibia’s public procurement system. In a country where procurement has too often been synonymous with controversy, opacity, and allegations of favouritism, any reform that promises greater transparency and accountability deserves both recognition and scrutiny. At its core, the CPBN’s move is a response to a long-standing concern: that the integrity of public procurement depends heavily on the individuals tasked with evaluating bids. These committees wield enormous influence. They determine…

Each year, as the waters begin their slow and then sudden advance across the plains of the Zambezi Region, a familiar and painful ritual unfolds along the edges of Lake Liambezi. It is not a spectacle for tourists, nor a seasonal curiosity. It is a desperate race against time. Farmers, many of whom have worked these fertile floodplains for generations, scramble to harvest maize, sorghum, and other crops before the rising floodwaters swallow their fields whole. This is not a new story. It is a recurring chapter in the lives of communities who exist in a delicate balance with nature,…

There was a time in our society when life’s most important milestones were marked with dignity, simplicity, and community spirit. Weddings were celebrations of union, not exhibitions of wealth. Funerals were moments of mourning and remembrance, not stages for social competition. Graduation ceremonies were symbols of achievement, not financial burdens. Today, however, something has gone terribly wrong. We are becoming a society obsessed with appearances, one that increasingly measures worth through spectacle rather than substance. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rising and often absurd costs associated with weddings, funerals and, more recently, graduations. What should be deeply…

The cruel hand of fate has once again visited our nation with a sorrow too heavy to bear. The tragic passing of James Uerikua, a young, vibrant servant of the people, alongside his son, has left Namibia reeling in disbelief. When death comes for the old, we mourn a life completed. But when it comes to the young, we are left grasping for meaning in the unfinished. There is a line in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare that echoes hauntingly in moments such as these: “Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all…

As the Easter long weekend approaches, thousands of Namibians will take to the roads, heading to family homes, holiday destinations, churches, and places of rest. It is a time meant for reflection, renewal, and togetherness. Yet, year after year, it is also a time marked by tragedy on our roads. Fatal crashes, preventable injuries, and shattered families have become an all-too-familiar part of this period. Namibia’s road safety record remains deeply concerning. While exact rankings may fluctuate, the country consistently records a high rate of road traffic accidents and fatalities relative to its population. When this is combined with significant…

There are moments in a nation’s life that force it to look into the mirror and confront an uncomfortable truth. The recent case of a 16-year-old Angolan girl, rescued from horrific abuse in northern Namibia, is one such moment. It is not just a criminal matter. It is a moral indictment of who we are becoming. The facts are chilling. A child, lured from her home in Angola with the promise of a modest N$500 monthly salary, was instead delivered into a life of cruelty and degradation. She was starved. Beaten. Forced to work both in the house and in…

Namibia finds itself navigating yet another period of global uncertainty as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ripple across international energy markets. Against this backdrop, the government’s decision to temporarily reduce fuel levies by 50% for at least three months is both timely and commendable. It reflects a pragmatic understanding of the pressures facing households and businesses, while signalling a willingness to act decisively in the national interest. The announcement by Energy Minister Modestus Amutse comes at a moment when global oil and gas markets are under severe strain. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has…

Namibia stands at the threshold of a new economic era. A surging tourism sector, coupled with the transformative potential of newly discovered oil reserves and expanding gas developments, is rapidly redefining the country’s growth trajectory. In this moment of opportunity, the question of establishing a new national airline, Namibia Air, should not be approached with hesitation or nostalgia but with strategic clarity and national ambition. The government’s assertion that Namibia Air will be a new entity, distinct from Air Namibia, is not merely semantic. It is fundamental. The failure of Air Namibia, while costly and instructive, should not serve as…