Alarm has reverberated around the world following the adoption of the draft United Nations (UN) convention on cybercrime in early August 2024 by the Ad Hoc Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) specifically created to draft such a treaty. What is fuelling the alarm within the global human rights community is the fact that the...
Opinions
Opinion – Namibia’s capital outflow hits N$14.2 billion
In a recent announcement, Bank of Namibia governor Johannes !Gawaxab reported a significant increase in capital outflow from Namibia, with N$14.2 billion leaving the country betweenJanuary and August 2024. This marks a sharp rise from the N$10.6 billion recorded during the same period in 2023, reflecting a N$3.6 billion increase in net outflows. The governor...
Opinion – Unduly restrictive land reform
Definitionally, land reform entails and/or encompasses a purposeful drive championed by the State, through its machinery, in addressing historical injustices with restorative measures. This would, therefore, mean the land reform programme must have ingredients of restitution and statutory restoration of rights unto land. Central to this will be premised on the natural recognition of historical...
Opinion – Changing weather patterns ahead of summer crop season
As we approach October 2024, Namibian farmers and farmworkers are gearing up for the start of the summer crop season. This period marks the beginning of land preparation and planting activities for staple crops such as maize, pearl millet (mahangu), sorghum, groundnuts and other legumes. Much like our neighbours in Southern Africa, the timing of...
Opinion – BRICS could surpass G7
It is not surprising that the BRICS+ formation will usher in a new economic order if the group of seven (G7) does not pull up its socks, as thegroup’s expansion presents new economic opportunities for developing countries. There is no doubt that the establishment of the BRICS (originally Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)...
Presidential elections: A possible re-run after November
As Namibia approaches the 27 November elections, the question of a rerun for the presidential race is critical. This is possible since more votes might be split amongst political parties and independent candidates, those who stood on their own. The establishment of political parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) (a threat not...
Opinion – Political campaigns vs national interest
It is no longer a secret that Namibians are heading to the polls on 27 November this year, and have undergone such exercise many times. Still, the tempo changes slightly, depending on the election and the national interests at stake during the campaigns. During these campaigns, some political parties often become deeply polarised, leading to...
Opinion – Brainwashed African leadership
A community with good leadership thrives, while a community with failed leadership is surrounded by challenges. We often talk about solving problems, but never think of their root causes. As we try to resolve one issue, another arises, revealing that we have not fully understood the root cause of these problems. Similarly, you can only...
Opinion – Ocean protection key to 2025 world maritime
The 2025 World Maritime Day theme reflects the central role of shipping and that of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in ocean protection and management of marine resources. ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity’ has been selected as the theme for 2025, which will culminate in the celebration of the day on 25 September 2025. ...
Opinion – Industrialisation agenda in Namibia
Richwell Lukonga Over the years, Namibian agencies have sought to harness the country’s natural resources to enhance economic growth. Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) was established by Parliament through Act 16 of 2016 to spearhead industrial, agribusiness and business infrastructure development, as well as to facilitate investment attraction. Nida has made the industrialisation of Namibia...