I am writing this based on my 10 years’ of development experience in Namibia. The nature and extent of development problems in Namibia are somewhat exceptional, because of the vastness of the country, the magnitude of natural resources and small population of 2.3 million people.
Even after 26 years’ of independence, hunger, poverty, inequality and unemployment have been great concerns, given the magnitude of natural resources and the small population.
Some may wonder why Namibia is still struggling with economic development problems, as mentioned above. However, Namibia has laid a strong foundation on the basis of sustainable democracy, political stability, and peace since independence to address and resolve the above-mentioned economic problems within 10 to 15 years.
Indeed, the said elements are prerequisites for any form of development to take place and its sustainability. At the same time, it should be mentioned that Namibia has made some progress with respect to hunger, poverty, inequality and unemployment since independence.
However, the concern is that the above-mentioned problems have not been addressed and resolved in a way that the majority is better off, prosperous and happy.
When I joined the National Planning Commission (NPC) in 2006 as senior policy advisor, Namibia was progressing on the basis of Vision 2030 and NDP 2. Subsequently, until I left the NPC at the end of 2011, I was very familiar with all the development endeavours, including NDP3, NDP 4 and National Human Resources Plan.
The foundation of the achievements in the country until the new government came to power in 2015 was the committed leadership of the two previous presidents. However, as I observed clearly, when the new president came into power, the situation changed dramatically and in the right direction for the advancement of the country.
The main objective of this article is to highlight the said change and explain how President Hage Geingob has become a beacon of hope. While Mahatma Ghandi said: “Action expresses priorities,” Scott Caan noted that: “Good things happen when you set your priorities straight.”
As the poverty levels are too high, Geingob’s first priority was to tackle poverty at all levels. This priority was vehemently important, as without addressing and resolving poverty and its related issues head on, it is difficult for Namibia to resolve other development issues. This conviction of the president forced him to declare multi-faceted war on poverty on all fronts.
In fact, concern for poverty reduction and subsequent eradication was there since independence, but it was not the main priority. However, the new president prioritised poverty eradication. In view of the above, the priority of the president was to meet Namibians from all walks of life to understand the nature and extent of the challenges they face and, most importantly, to seek suggestions and measures that should be adopted to tackle all forms of poverty indicated. This is a new approach.
The nned to plan national priorities and direct the course of development has been at the centre of development planning endeavours since independence. However, on the basis of the leadership of President Geingob and his priority – achieving prosperity – required a new scope and methodology beyond the experience of Vision 2030 and NDP1-NDP4.
The Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) is the outcome of the above-mentioned concern and is a prioritised action plan for 2016-2020.
It should be noted that inclusive growth had been just a concept in the country, but it has been duly integrated in HPP in a systematic and objective manner. Before the idea of inclusive growth, the concept of pro-poor growth was at the centre of development planning in Namibia, but it did not generate the expected results, including sustainable development.
As explained, priorities have been determined and implementation has been undertaken. But with respect to generating the expected results, we should not expect miracles, because it is a journey over rough seas.
Since Namibia’s independence, economic growth has been fluctuating and hence economic development has also been affected. Economic and financial crisis in the rest of the world, particularly in developed countries affect the economy, while internal factors such as floods and prolong droughts affect the performance of the economy.
Currently, what is happening in the economy – particularly the downward revision of economic growth forecasts – is an example for the inability of the economy to sustain economic growth.
The point I’m trying to make is that the fact that priorities have been planned and implementation strategies are in place does not necessarily mean that the expected results will follow. In view of the above, we should not blame President Geingob and his leadership.
Before we resort to negative comments about the development endeavours of the country we need to understand the realities on the ground. Indeed, if we are positive, we will see more opportunities than obstacles.
The economy of Namibia is on the right trajectory with a collective and united mindset of the people to generate the specific and targeted developmental outcomes under the leadership of President Geingob. In other words, the concrete foundation has been laid for prosperity. Indeed, the Land of the Brave will attain the unattainable with the leadership of President Geingob.
* Dr Asoka Seneviratne is the director of programmes and institutional development at the International University of Management (IUM) in Windhoek. He writes in his personal capacity.