With less than 7 days to go before many of us are indulging in the annual gluttony contest of eating slain goats under a tree in remote areas, the year 2025 is wrapping up wonderfully, and as young Namibians, it is safe to say we had a good run.
Across the country, the signs are familiar. Traffic thins in the capital city, traffic officers hide behind bushes on long roads to trap fast drivers, offices slow down, and families begin to gather again, some by choice, others by obligation. December has always carried its own rhythm in Namibia.
2025 was not a quiet year for the nation. It was a year of transition politically, socially and emotionally. The country welcomed a new president, marking a historic moment that carried both symbolism and expectation. Leadership changed hands amid public hope, scrutiny and an undercurrent of uncertainty about what lies ahead. For many citizens, this shift invited reflection not only on governance but also on continuity, accountability and the pace of national change.
For young Namibians, this broader political moment unfolded alongside personal pressure. Economic strain, limited opportunities and rising costs continued to shape daily choices. There was movement, ambition and visible effort, but also fatigue. With the new leadership, there is a notable restoration of hope that our nation is on a positive trajectory.
Perhaps this is why rest has taken on a different meaning this year. The rise of micro-retreats, intentional solitude and scaled-down Decembers reflects more than lifestyle preference. It signals a collective need to step away from noise long enough to regain clarity. In a year defined by change, the pause became a way of holding oneself together.
At the same time, there is an awareness that rest cannot exist in isolation from responsibility. The idea of a “soft landing” returning to work, study and public life with intention mirrors the national mood. Just as the country prepares for a new chapter under new leadership, individuals are thinking carefully about how they re-enter their own obligations with consideration for capacity and consequence.
These parallel movements matter, both private and public. They suggest a growing understanding that resilience is not only about endurance but about transition.
The voices in this edition reflect that range. Some are stepping back. Others are working through the holidays. Some are uncertain, others quietly preparing. Together, they reveal a generation negotiating its place in a changing country, learning that rest is not withdrawal but part of staying engaged.
As 2025 closes, the question facing both the nation and its young people is not whether the pause is deserved, but what it is being used for: reflection, recovery, or preparation.
