On 31 December 2023, as per the tradition that characterised much of his presidency, the late president Hage Geingob christened 2024 ‘The Year of Expectations,’ marching towards shared prosperity, a promise of better opportunities, and developing bigger expectations and ambitions.
It is that time of the year again to reflect on the highs and lows, transparency, leadership, tenacity, strength, hope, and all things endured during the year.
In this article, Paheja Siririka reminds our readers of the key events that defined 2024.
Cancer cells
The year started off on a sad note as the Presidency disclosed that Geingob had had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on 8 January, followed by a biopsy.
Following this announcement of cancerous cells that had been detected in his body, the Presidency disclosed that Geingob would undergo novel medical therapy in the United States of America.
He soon departed for Los Angeles, California, and returned on 2 February 2024.
Fateful February 4
On 4 February, Namibians were awoken to the horrific news of the passing of President Geingob at about 00h04 at Lady Pohamba Hospital while receiving treatment from his medical team.
Mbumba
Then Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, backed by the Constitution, automatically assumed the position of head of state, stabilising the country, filling the leadership void that had been created, and continued the democratic legacy of his predecessor, friend and dear brother.
Mbumba, a cool, calm, and collected guardian, took the father figure role with ease, ushering Namibians who were beaming with expectations into the new era. The first major project he did was to familiarise himself with the bloc by embarking on courtesy visits to neighbours and cementing the mantra “Namibia, a friend to all and an enemy to none.”
Green Hydrogen
With the successful contracting of pilot projects and the impending cash disbursement this year, Namibia’s green hydrogen journey continues to gain momentum.
The pilot projects are the Hyrail Dual-Fuel Locomotive, the Daures Green Hydrogen Project, and the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen Service Station.
Mr Rebebe
Just as the year kicked off, Opuwo became the talk of the country when a Bank Windhoek employee, Nico Hijendepi Rebebe (30), attempted to steal N$200 million from the bank’s Opuwo branch.
Drought
Overall, 1.4 million people in Namibia – 48% of the population – have been experiencing acute food insecurity and require urgent support, according to a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
The international community has aided Namibia with grants, food, and other forms of assistance to alleviate the effects of drought.
In May, Namibia declared a State of Emergency following the worst drought the country has experienced in 100 years.
Road crashes
Despite Namibia regarded as having the best roads on the continent, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund continues having sleepless nights as the number of road fatalities increases.
According to official statistics, 436 people perished in road accidents this year.
Politics 101
From the onset, 2024 was going to be a politically charged year, globally.
The year was democracy’s biggest test, as at least 64 countries headed to the polls, representing about 50% of the world population.
Major powers such as the United States, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, North Korea, and the European Union, all headed to decisive polls.
On the African continent, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, Togo, and Botswana held elections.
At home, the Electoral Commission of Namibia registered 1 449 569 eligible voters from 3 June until 1 August 2024. The commission had set up 4 297 registration points in all 121 constituencies in the 14 regions, and 35 diplomatic missions abroad.
Twenty-one parties and 15 presidential candidates put on their political gloves and spoke their hearts out about their turnaround strategies to take Namibia out of the quagmire they perceive it to be in.
November 13, was a rough day as around 16 352 Namibians in the security cluster, Namibian seafarers and those stationed abroad voted in the special elections.
Again on 27 November, Namibians from all walks of life – armed with only a pencil, ballot paper, courage, and determination – made their voices heard from the voting booth. Two additional voting days were added after many voters were left out on the initial date due a myriad of challenges and a logistical nightmare that the ECN seemed unable to handle.
NNN
Ndemupelila loosely translates to “the one who showed the way” in Oshikwanyama.
It is Vice President and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s middle name.
Nandi-Ndaitwah or NNN as she is affectionately, emerged winner of the hotly contested Presidential election, becoming the first women to achieve the historic feat.
In a male-dominated world where women are mostly reduced to taking orders, from 21 March 2025, Namibia will have a female president.
The disciplinarian, lawmaker, and diplomat of note scored a 57% vote in the presidential and national assembly elections. She robustly continues to advocate inclusivity, gender equality, youth, and clean energy.
Lukato’s nine lives
After 20 years in the political wilderness and being ridiculed by many, National Democratic Party president Martin Lukato is finally headed to the national assembly. This is after the NDP secured one seat during the National Assembly elections last month, after years of Lukato roaming Namibian streets, mostly on foot, going from village to village and visiting one newsroom after another, to spread the NDP gospel.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na