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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro With its mantra of “business unusual”, needless to mention, the 8th administration of Namibia, new as it may be and proffered and sounded and perceived to be under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is essentially old. The Swapo of Namibia is a long-standing political party that has undergone constant change, transformation, transition, and metamorphosis. In many aspects and respects. Whether democratically, ideologically, politically and otherwise. Thus, it must have its work cut out. Because it is surely a tall order for it to navigate the entrenched capitalist system in the country and, at the same time, fulfil the “business unusual”…

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) A Legal and Political Analysis of the Tension Between Constitutional Aspiration and Fiscal Reality The maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Repiblic of Namibia, on April 24, 2025, represents a significant political milestone in Namibia’s governance trajectory. Themed “Unity in Diversity, Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development,” this address articulates a comprehensive vision for national development while introducing substantive policy reforms across multiple sectors. As the 8th administration charts a bold course for national development, the financial sustainability…