Opinions

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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Shame is not a shelter: Why silence protects perpetrators and harms survivors

Pefimbo Shipunda In the wake of yet another series of brutal acts of violence against women and children in Namibia, a painful truth confronts us: while perpetrators may commit the violence, it is silence that sustains it. Shame is a powerful force in our communities. It silences victims, shields abusers, and prioritises reputation over justice. It tells survivors to keep quiet, not because they are wrong, but because speaking out might bring “dishonour” to their families. It urges communities to downplay what they know and families to “deal with it privately”, often by suppressing the voices of those most harmed.…
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Occupational safety and health contemporary issues: A call for restorative justice

Occupational safety and health contemporary issues: A call for restorative justice

Lazarus Kwedhi The government, through the Tripartite Committee—comprising representatives from the state, employers, and employees—is currently drafting the Occupational Safety and Health Bill (OSH Bill). Once completed, the bill will be gazetted as an Act of Parliament. This Act will provide the legal and administrative framework to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for every employee, including a mechanism for dispute resolution and compliance with the OSH Act. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is not a new concept in the Namibian labour market. It was incorporated in Chapter 4 of the Namibian Labour Act, 2007 (Act No. 11 of…
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Nothing to write home about GRN’s inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day

Nothing to write home about GRN’s inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Declaring Genocide Remembrance Day this time around last year, on the 28th of May, to be exact, the descendants were for the second year running since 2023, commemorating it at the Independence Museum, while this Wednesday the government held what it termed the inauguration of the day. For Your Descendant Truly, there was not much to write home about regarding the said inauguration, be it in format, content, and attendance. Let alone about what was the inaugural speech of the day by the President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Especially for the descendants who…
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Pedestrianism of genocide ‘welcoming remarks’ and ‘vote of thanks’dismemberement, racism and genocide continuity are the amarmament

Pedestrianism of genocide ‘welcoming remarks’ and ‘vote of thanks’dismemberement, racism and genocide continuity are the amarmament

Prof. Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda What later became the first genocide of the 20th century was enabled by the software of racism that W.E.B du Bois correctly captured as the operating system of the 20th century stating, in 1903, that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line". Du Bois wrote this one year before the first genocide of the 20th century was committed against our people, in Namibia. He was analysisng the psychosis of those who later became the perpetrators of genocide. In the 20th century, white people and Europeans drew what Frantz Fanon…
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