Namibia, formerly known as German South West Africa, gained independence on March 21, 1990. We commemorate 36 years of freedom this year, a significant occasion that demands introspection, joy, and critical thought. 

The sacrifices made by brave leaders and innumerable young Namibians who dreamed of a country free from oppression helped us achieve our freedom.

We honour the visionaries who shaped our path to freedom, our Founding Father Sam Nujoma, alongside Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Samuel Maharero, and Hendrick Witbooi. 

We also pay tribute to revolutionary women like Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda, and the many unsung heroes whose contributions remain unrecorded yet form the bedrock of our liberation.

At 36, Namibia stands at a crossroads. A nation politically free yet still grappling with persistent social and economic inequalities. Youth unemployment, land inequity, poverty, corruption, and systemic discrimination remain pressing challenges. 

The lingering scars of historical injustices, such as the Herero and Nama Genocide of 1904–1908, remind us that independence is not merely a date on the calendar, it is a responsibility to build a nation where freedom is lived, felt, and shared by all.

Education: From historical inequality to empowerment

One of Namibia’s most remarkable transformations has been in education. During the liberation struggle, Swapo strongly opposed the Bantu Education system, a colonial framework designed to limit opportunities for Black Namibians and perpetuate inequality. Its legacy left deep wounds, including literacy gaps, unequal access to opportunities, and a shortage of skilled professionals.

Since 1990, Namibia has undertaken deliberate reforms to dismantle these barriers. The Constitution guarantees education for all, and recent initiatives, including free tertiary education, have further expanded access. Today, more young Namibians can pursue higher learning regardless of economic background. Literacy levels are improving, and the pipeline of skilled professionals is slowly strengthening. 

Education in Namibia has evolved from a tool of oppression into a powerful instrument of national empowerment, yet the work is far from over.

Women in leadership

Another transformative shift lies in gender equality. During colonial times, women were largely confined to domestic roles while men dominated public life. Today, Namibia defies that legacy. The nation is led by its first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alongside Vice President Lucia Witbooi, the first female Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and women holding key ministerial portfolios in Education, Health, Agriculture, ICT, Finance, Gender Equality and Child Welfare and International Relations and Trade. 

Even in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as engineering, mining, and oil and gas, women are making their mark, while men increasingly occupy roles historically coded as female, like nursing, teaching, and culinary arts. 

This deliberate crossover challenges entrenched gender norms, signalling tangible progress toward equality. 

Namibia is not just celebrating representation but cultivating a society where leadership and opportunity are determined by talent and vision, not gender.

Healthcare 

During colonial and South African rule, healthcare in Namibia was segregated, with white citizens enjoying better access to facilities than the black majority. Thirty-six years after independence, the government has invested heavily in public healthcare to ensure equitable access.

Hospitals and clinics have expanded and modernized, and medical training programs have increased healthcare professionals. Public health campaigns, especially for HIV/AIDS, have shown results: HIV deaths declined, life expectancy reached 63 years in 2023 (up 12 since 2001), and infant mortality fell from 56.10 in 1990 to 25.58 in 2025, now below the African average.

Recent initiatives include a N$38.5 billion investment to modernise public healthcare over three years and the Vision April 2026 program, which aims to expand access to quality care and reduce reliance on private providers. These achievements show that sustained commitment can drive meaningful change, even in historically disadvantaged sectors.

Land

Land remains a powerful and emotive issue in Namibia, central to its independence struggle. It highlights injustices from the Herero and Nama genocide (1904-1908) under German rule, worsened under South African control. German settlers seized large tracts of land from the Herero and Nama, owning about 1 331 farms by 1913, which rose to 5 212 in the 1950s, contributing to Namibia’s ranking as the second most unequal country after South Africa (Karim Owalabi & Harry Tjipueja, 2022).

After independence, the government started land reforms and held conferences in 1991 and 2018. By 2018, only 549 farms were acquired, resettling 5,338 families. Progress remains slow. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, 70% of commercial agricultural land is still owned by white Namibians and foreign nationals, leaving many black Namibians, especially descendants of genocide victims, without land or wealth. The slow pace results from the “willing seller, willing buyer” policy and constitutional safeguards such as Article 16, which mandates fair compensation even for unjust colonial land acquisitions. The land question is about justice, dignity, and honouring our ancestors’ sacrifices.

To fully realise independence, Namibia must decisively address land issues to reconcile historical injustices with current social and economic equity.

Reconciliation

While independence brought political freedom, national reconciliation remains an unfinished project. Early efforts included cooperation between former liberation leaders and representatives associated with the colonial administration, yet over the years, structured reconciliation initiatives have diminished. Namibia, unlike South Africa, still lacks a comprehensive truth-seeking process to openly address unresolved historical issues.

Recent accounts reveal that past wounds remain unhealed. Survivors of detention camps, such as Pauline Demper, continue to seek answers about their experiences in the Lubango dungeons. 

Statements by Members of Parliament, including Vetaruhe Kandorozu, further illustrate the lingering tensions that emerge when sensitive historical issues are left unaddressed.

Reconciliation cannot exist without truth. Honest engagement with our shared past is essential to building a cohesive society. If these conversations continue to be avoided, divisions may persist into future generations, undermining the promise of unity and social cohesion.

Looking Forward 

As we celebrate 36 years of independence, it is crucial to ask: What does independence truly mean? Political freedom is only the beginning. 

True independence requires social justice, equitable access to resources, and opportunities that empower every citizen. 

Independence Day should therefore be both a celebration and a call to action, a moment to honour our history, reflect on present inequalities, and commit to building a just, unified, and prosperous Namibia for generations to come.

*Paulina Usiku is a Youth Leader, and Vaino Shapenga is a Political Science student at the University of Namibia.