Opinions – Windhoek Observer

26 Jul

Upholding Political Rights in Namibia: Ensuring Freedom and Democracy

ObserverOpinionsUpholding Political Rights in Namibia: Ensuring Freedom and Democracy

Sakaria Johannes As Namibia approaches the upcoming elections on November 27, 2024, the protection of political rights and freedom emerges as a critical concern. At the heart of this discourse lies Article 17 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to engage in peaceful political activities aimed at influencing government policies and composition. This includes the right to form and join political parties and to participate in public affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives, subject to legal qualifications necessary in a democratic society. Constitutional Guarantees and Recent Concerns Recent events have starkly highlighted the importance of…

26 Jul

A Voice for the Marginalized

ObserverOpinionsA Voice for the Marginalized, Lucia Sibanga

Lucia Sibanga Before the 1980s, post-colonialism and feminism were separate theories in international relations (IR). However, these theories later merged to form post-colonial feminist IR theory. Both focus on the marginalization of ‘others’ by ruling structures, defending their interests against such marginalization. Post-colonial theory aims to undermine the colonizer’s discourse, which distorts the experiences of the colonized and exerts control over them. This theory highlights literature by colonized people that reclaims their identity and history, challenging the narratives imposed by colonizers. Post-colonial feminist IR theory encourages us to view the world through the eyes of previously colonized women of color,…

26 Jul

Public Service, Effective Service Delivery and The Namibian Ideal (Vision 2030)

ObserverOpinions

Esther Shakela It’s 9 o clock on a Tuesday morning and you are getting frustrated because the desk officer who needs to draft an authorization letter for your pensioned mother to finally get approval for a house is not answering their landline. The desk officer is yet to arrive at the office, he left his house at 08h30. You send an e-mail and decide to call again during the course of the day. Thereafter, you answer the landline in your office and inform a citizen that they should call you back later and return to discussing the latest episode of…

25 Jul

No guarantees investments flowing in will benefit all!

ObserverOpinions

There can be no better time than now for the country to be become more vigilant over its natural resources and with the same vigour that it is currently crisscrossing the globe, like the late President Dr Hage Geingob did, looking for investors to tap into the rich natural resources of the country. Likewise there can be no better generation than the current and future one to do this. Because it behooves it to ensure that such natural resources are preserved for future generations, which is none other than them. One cannot but notice that currently it is this very…

25 Jul

2024 Election: A Challenging Election Year in SWAPO Party History: The Legacy of Dr. Kandjafa in SWAPO Party.

ObserverOpinions

Stephanus Pombili SWAPO Party is notoriously known for stifling dissent, ousting those they perceive as threats, and eliminating those who outshine them in intelligence. In 1999, Ben Uulenga was labelled with derogatory terms, and the late Hidipo Hamutenya famously voiced out "It's called outside SWAPO party," while his colleague Cde Jerry Maudjuu Ekandjo branded him a "traitor" for advocating for justice and opposing constitutional amendments. Despite this being a common practice, the SWAPO party has failed to acknowledge the internal strife it is causing. An Oshikwamyama proverb states, "What is destroying the party is within the party." Ben Uulenga went…

24 Jul

First competitive election for Namibia

ObserverOpinions

Mulopo Siseho In Namibia's 34 years of independence, the elections of 2024 will be the most competitive. The opposition political leaders, filled with high expectations, have prepared themselves and are ready to dance. win the upcoming presidential elections. The past South African 2024 elections, The ANC was baffled, which boosted the confidence of Namibian opposition leaders. Though safe, calling the previous elections uncompetitive is misguided. The recent elections in South Africa have sparked the high hopes of current opposition leaders. This has motivated them to vigorously compete for power. The same election might have also put the ruling party under…

24 Jul

Namibia’s uncharted blue economy has a lot of potential

ObserverOpinions

Josef Kefas Sheehama Given the potential for the blue economy to generate a significant number of direct and indirect jobs, Namibia has a great chance for long-term economic growth and development. The NDP 5 interventions can also be utilized to realize Namibia's Vision 2030 aspirations of eradicating poverty, decreasing inequality, and fostering an inclusive economy. Namibia must revive, implement robust climate change mitigation strategies, and maintain an eco-friendly economy that generates employment to preserve the ecosystems. The country will thereafter be able to effectively combat climate change. The green economy is defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as…

23 Jul

Voting as a Rite of Passage: Encouraging First-Time Voters in Namibia.

ObserverOpinions

Thomas Nashongo The anatomy of Namibian democracy is dependent on the commitment of all those eligible to vote. While youth engagement is often highlighted, participation by all eligible age groups is as important.It is also critical to understand that first-time voters come from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Whether they are young or old while casting a ballot, newly registered first-time voters' voices are vital to delegate a democratic type of government. Namibian citizens should embrace voting as a civic duty and a rite of passage especially for first time voters. As a citizen of a vibrant democratic one…

22 Jul

Did the system fail the youth? A Franz Fanon lens of Analysis

ObserverOpinions

Johanna Hipangelwa In Namibia, as in many post-colonial nations, the question of whether the system has failed its youth is a pressing one. Franz Fanon's seminal work, particularly his ideas on decolonization and the psychological effects of colonialism, offers a lens through which we can critically examine this issue. Namibia’s independence from South Africa in 1990 after a protracted struggle, initially held promise for its youth. Liberation movements like SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization) fought not just for political sovereignty but also for social justice and economic equity. However, decades later, many young Namibians find themselves grappling with systemic…

18 Jul

Investors cannot, should not be left to own devices nor that of their handlers

ObserverOpinions

YOURS Truly Ideologically cannot help but increasingly fear and get the impression that Namibia is heading for the worse economically. In that sooner rather than later she would have no natural resources of her own to speak of. Article 100 of the Namibian Constitution on the Sovereign Ownership of Natural Resources enshrines that: Land, water and natural resources below and above the surface of the land and in the continental shelf and within the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone off Namibia shall belong o the Sate if they are not otherwise lawfully owned.” Be that as it may…