Opinions – Page 16 – Windhoek Observer

22 May

Diplomacy in the Crossfire: Lessons for Namibia from the Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office Showdown

Opinions

Johanna Hipangelwa An Oval Office confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reveals powerful lessons in global diplomacy and offers timely insights for Namibia’s foreign policy strategy. On May 21, 2025, global diplomacy took centre stage in Washington D.C. when U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a controversial video alleging a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. What was expected to be a routine bilateral discussion devolved into a dramatic and highly publicised standoff exposing both the volatility of today’s international relations and the importance of measured leadership. As the…

22 May

SONAs, SORAs are businesses usual

Opinions

Kae Matundu INCREASINGLY Yours Truly Ideologically is starting to doubt and question the meaning and essence of the yearly State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) and same as well as that of State of the Region Addresses (SORAs) as has become the political tradition since independence. Especially doubting if the said addresses are true reflections of the real socio-economic conditions of the people on the ground, rather than just a public relations exercise by the powers that be. To make the country believe that the administration is and has been doing something to better the lives of the country and…

20 May

Considerations before casting a vote for Windhoek local and regional elections

Opinions

Sem Billy David I As the local authority and regional council elections approach, voters in Windhoek, particularly those living in the sprawling informal settlements and underdeveloped suburbs, confront a critical choice that could shape their communities for years to come. With rapid urbanization, inadequate service delivery, and increasing inequality, residents must cast their votes with informed minds and a clear understanding of what is at stake. The stakes are both the short-term improvement of living conditions and the long-term sustainability of the residents. As candidates present their agendas, it is essential for voters to critically assess their proposals, ensuring they…

19 May

Is Namibia a Mafia State?

Featured, Opinions

Sakaria Johannes The concept of a "mafia state" has become a critical framework for analysing political systems where state institutions serve private networks of power rather than the public good. These are not failed states in the traditional sense but rather functioning kleptocracies that wear the mask of democratic legitimacy. While Namibia has long enjoyed a reputation as a stable democracy in southern Africa, recent political developments and corruption scandals suggest it may be undergoing a quiet transformation. By examining scholarly definitions of mafia states and linking them to key Namibian cases—including Fishrot, election irregularities, the N$8 million NDF car…

15 May

Workers exploitation cannot be blamed on government alone

Opinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro Most of the time the dagger has been falling on the government and the Swapo Party of Namibia for its blatant lack of ideology. This is not without reason because since the dawn self - rule and determination, it is the Swapo Party that has been at the helm of the country’s political direction, and/or the lack thereof, let alone being responsible for delivery and/or non-delivery on the socio-economic front. As much as on the economic front, investors, entrepreneurs, businesspeople and what-have-you predominantly whites, have been ruling the roost. With the government at best in this regard…

15 May

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inaugural foreign visit – honouring history – legacies and shadows of Neto and Nujoma

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) As the dust settles on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first international foray since taking office, her choice of Angola for the crucial two-day working visit (May 8-9, 2025) speaks volumes. More than just a diplomatic courtesy, this journey to Luanda is a powerful statement, deeply woven into the fabric of Namibia’s past and its aspirations for the future. Stepping onto Angolan soil as her first official act beyond Namibian borders is a significant milestone for Namibia's first female head of state. It’s a deliberate nod to the unbreakable bonds forged in…

14 May

NAVIGATING PROCUREMENT HURDLES: ADDRESSING STOCKOUTS OF ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES IN THE NAMIBIAN HEALTH SECTOR

Featured, Opinions

Lusia Kornelius and Zucky Bauleth-Nashima As the global market experiences major uncertainties, probable recession and unprecedented social dynamics, there is pressure on healthcare systems, and the Namibian health sector is no exception. Namibia is facing significant challenges concerning procurement and availability of essential medical supplies. Recent tariff hikes under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration not only magnify the trade war but also disrupt the global supply chain, impacting the export and import of goods across the globe. The effect is directly felt by pharmaceutical suppliers and distributors, thereby resulting in disrupted or delayed service delivery. This disruption may cause friendshoring…

12 May

Free tertiary education in Namibia: A solution or a political Symbol?

Opinions

Sakaria Johannes Namibia's recent commitment to introducing free tertiary education in 2026 has been met with a mix of optimism and scepticism. On the surface, it appears to be a bold and progressive move, one that seeks to remove financial barriers and make higher education accessible to all citizens regardless of their socio-economic background. Education, undeniably, is a powerful tool for transformation. It can lift individuals out of poverty, equip them with knowledge and skills, and foster innovation and growth. However, the context in which Namibia is making this decision raises pressing concerns about whether free tertiary education, in isolation,…

08 May

Business as usual on Workers Day

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro After everything was said and done, including both good and bad speeches, some well-meaning and others not worth the paper they were written on, most of these speeches lacked sincerity, as has become routine; many were more like recitals than genuine speeches. Therefore, Yours Truly Ideologically could not derive many takeaways from them. Other than the remarks of one of the unionists, “Comrade”, inviting and informing fellow “Comrades” to what would be perhaps the most pleasing and physically and practically nourishing moment of the observance of Workers Day and May Day, as it is also alternatively known. She…

08 May

RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF THE LATE FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND FATHER OF THE NAMIBIAN NATION, H.E. DR SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Introduction The Perennial Light of a Revolutionary Mind In an era where the cadence of national reflection often oscillates between commemorative reverence and the pragmatic urgencies of the present, the towering figure of the Founding Father Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma emerges not merely as an indelible echo from the annals of a hard-won liberation, but as an essential, vital compass. His enduring presence, particularly as we contemplate the trajectory of the nation he so singularly shaped, serves as both an inspiration and a profound challenge. Founding Father Nujoma transcended the conventional…