Thought Leaders

During the year 2019, the longest serving rector and first vice-chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) Dr Tjama Tjivikua stepped down after long service to the university community and the nation.

The year 2019 was a noteworthy year. So many happenings, big and small, good and bad took place in the past year. The past is a critical component of any one or organisation’s being; allowing for retrospection to avoid hurdles of the past while seeing foundations already laid.

This brief article is a follow up on the article I wrote on the state of English in Namibia vs Namibian indigenous languages.

Today, I want to address the dilemma first year students have as they choose their programmes at tertiary level. But, before I do that, let me make a few remarks on the current, contentious issue of the poor English pass rate.

Allow me space in your newspaper to share my views on the introduction of Kiswahili in Namibia and other African countries.

The Namibian Competition Commission has announced its intention to institute proceedings in court against short-term insurance providers and windscreen suppliers for engaging in anti-competitive behavior that places insurance policy holders at a disadvantage when claiming benefits for damages to their vehicles.

Whenever I visit China, one of the things I marvel at is the huge expansion of development this country has achieved in the 70 years of the rule of the Communist Party of China.

On 9 November 2019, I represented the Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Katjavivi, at the centenary commemoration of the death of Kavezemba Kariko at Otjohorongo (Erongo Region).

One of the core facets of our constitution can be surmised as “Everyone has the right (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being, and (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures.”

Leading up to the 2019 general elections the ordinary Namibian citizen did not, and even some of those with some level of sophistication did not seem to fully grasp and understand what was happening in the country and why it was happening as such.