What a world we are living in. 

None of us ever imagined that life would turn out like this. This is no longer something we can ignore, joke about or pretend is normal. It is real, and it is painful.

People are chasing wealth, yet that same wealth often seems to come at the cost of human lives. The cost of living continues to rise, families are being torn apart, and people of all ages are losing their lives every single day under different circumstances. 

People are going missing day and night. 

Accidents are happening everywhere. 

There is no peace anymore. Is this what we call the end times? Imagine a parent sending their child to school or university, sacrificing everything, paying tuition, rent and food while enduring sleepless nights for years. 

Then, just when that child is about to graduate, only months away from achieving their dream, their life is suddenly taken in a senseless way. Imagine the parents waiting at home, ready to celebrate and feel proud, only to receive devastating news instead. 

They invested everything, yet at the end of the journey, they are left with nothing but grief. And it is not only students.

Today, you may speak to someone, laugh with them, and share moments together, only for their face to appear the next day on a poster reading ‘Missing Person’, or even worse, a death notice. 

It does not matter whether it is a child or an elderly person. 

Even those who claim to love one another are harming each other. 

People are being robbed of the very things they worked hard for with their strength and dedication. This is affecting everyone. Not only ordinary citizens, but also leaders, police officers, lawyers, prosecutors, ministers and even spiritual leaders such as pastors. No one is spared. 

People are dying so suddenly and so frequently that life itself feels more fragile than ever before. 

Yet, we are only in the fourth month of 2026, not even halfway through the year. My concern is this: we are no longer free. We are no longer free to walk alone without fear. We are no longer free to use public transport without anxiety.

We are no longer free to live our daily lives without constantly looking over our shoulders. 

So, the question is, must we allow this to continue? It may feel like we have no power to change things, but there is something we can do: we can call upon the mercy of the Lord. God has power we do not. I once heard on Oshiwambo radio that about 99% of Namibians identify as Christians. 

I also remember that, during the leadership of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, when the nation faced challenges, he declared a national day of prayer.

People came together, united in faith, seeking God’s guidance and mercy.

There is a saying in Oshiwambo: ‘Omeva mapyu ito udu oupyu wao ngeenge ino a tilwa’. You do not feel the heat of hot water unless it is poured on you. 

Must we wait until it affects each one of us personally before we take it seriously?

Why can we not rise together as a nation and take this matter to another level? 

Why can we not approach our leaders and request one or two dedicated national days of prayer, during which we humble ourselves, seek forgiveness and ask God for mercy upon our land? This is not just about fear. It is about hope. 

It is about choosing to believe that change is still possible. The time to act is now. 

Let us come together as a nation in prayer, reflection and unity before it is too late.

*Victoria Ndahafa Hamunyela is a passionate Namibian writer, who addresses social issues and inspires reflection. Her work challenges perspectives, sparks conversations and promotes positive change.