Namibia: Namibia stands at a pivotal moment as it celebrates its 36th independence anniversary on Saturday. While the nation marks decades of freedom, the milestone is met with a sobering reality - unemployment, a widening housing backlog, and unequal wealth distribution.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the nation's independence celebration reflects both achievements and ongoing challenges, underscoring a steadfast commitment to progress. Retired politician, former prime minister, and liberation struggle icon Nahas Angula noted that despite the peace Namibia currently enjoys, significant social and economic challenges persist for many citizens.
'The rural areas are still at a subsistence level of livelihood. The structure of our economy remains dualistic. The overall economy is highly capital-intensive. Similarly, the labour market is characterised by skewed income distribution. A significant portion of our labour earns starvation wages,' he noted.
Reflecting on Independence Day, Angula emphasised to Nampa that Namibia faces significant challenges, including economic inequality, relative and absolute poverty, and high youth unemployment, which complicate the reality of sovereignty. He noted that housing, sanitation, and food security also pose social challenges. Furthermore, he highlighted that the education and training sectors are not adequately addressing the needs for social and economic transformation.
Angula stated that when Namibia gained independence 36 years ago, the new nation was motivated by the principles of progress and transformation. 'The new state embarked upon the process of creating a common national identity. The apartheid colonial structures were abolished. A new national character inspired by the notion of 'One Namibia, One Nation', was moulded,' he remarked.
He further reported significant progress in infrastructure development, including the Trans-Kalahari Highway, the Trans-Zambezi Highway, the expansion of the Port of Walvis Bay, the establishment of higher education institutions and the enhancement of water systems and rural road networks, among other initiatives.
The liberation struggle icon stated that meritocracy has declined due to the rise of materialism. 'In politics, money started to be the determining factor of winning elections. The tendency of identity politics divided the nation. In such an environment, corruption started to raise its ugly head. Now, we have new vocabulary - Fishrot, oilrot, and so on. The killing of a magistrate at Ondangwa and a headman in the Oshikoto Region is a sign of the erosion of the rule of law,' he said.
Meanwhile Erastus Uutoni, former urban and rural development minister and former PLAN soldier, stated that economic stability, growth and social development in any country depend on peace, stability, unity and democracy. He emphasised that Namibia has experienced these conditions since 21 March 1990, contributing to the nation's economic development.
'We have to appreciate what has been achieved so far, such as road network infrastructure in the country,' he said. Uutoni emphasised that the government's policy instruments are clear, and that the procurement system requires re-evaluation to expedite the implementation of government projects. He noted that there is no power struggle, but rather a need for vigour and commitment from all citizens.
Uutoni also highlighted that economic emancipation is a continuous process, requiring the nation's commitment across generations to achieve its goals. He said, 'I'm happy with the introduction of the Youth Development Fund. The budget for this fund needs to be increased to cater for many more young people.'
Uutoni emphasised the need for increased investment in agriculture, particularly in water supply for irrigation. He highlighted the importance of exploring and utilising underground water and seawater as natural resources to benefit the population and support economic growth for future generations. With these recommendations, both liberation struggle heroes assert that Namibia can achieve true economic and sovereign independence.