Editorial

Namibia has every reason to stand a little taller this week. The inclusion of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the 2026 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people is not merely a personal accolade. It is a moment of national validation, an affirmation that the voice of a small, principled nation can resonate powerfully on the global stage. For a country of just over two million people, still young in its democratic journey, such recognition carries weight far beyond symbolism. It signals that Namibia is not only participating in global discourse but also helping to shape it. Over the years,…

The announcement that Sintana Energy intends to list on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) should be welcomed as a timely and strategic development in Namibia’s unfolding oil and gas story. At a moment when global attention is fixed on the country’s offshore discoveries, this move signals a shift from passive anticipation to active participation, giving ordinary Namibians a chance to claim a stake in what could become one of the defining economic transformations of the post-independence era. For years, Namibia’s hydrocarbon potential remained largely speculative. That changed dramatically following a series of major offshore discoveries by international energy companies, positioning…

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…