More often than not, our government faces trash talk left, right and centre – literally – and many a time it doesn’t deserve it.
In general Namibia is in good shape and optimism for the future remains high. We were particularly impressed that a Namibian delegation that was in New York for a UN event took advantage of the opportunity to seek audience with the world body’s committee on sanctions to thrash out issues surrounding Namibia’s relations with North Korea.
Namibia emerged victorious from that meeting when the UN committee made it clear that our relations with the East Asian country were above board. In other words, we remain a sovereign nation that observes law – both local and international – and whose dealings could inspire others globally.
There is a deeper sense too that President Hage Geingob’s Harambee Prosperity Plan has been embraced by almost all and sundry and it was nice to see First National Bank (FNB) also coming out this week to publicly say it supports the ambitious development plan. This is a sign of a Namibia pulling in one direction.
Recently, the country climbed ten places on the world transparency index – another sign that this country is on the right path.
In February, Namibia was one of 13 countries to be rewarded by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance for its fight against malaria.
It was stated that the country had shown commitment, innovation and progress in the fight against the disease. The winners are chosen by an independent awards selection committee comprising of leaders and experts in the areas of health and science. We are indeed a winning nation.
Our electoral system has been lauded internationally while our democracy and human rights records had even the tongue of US secretary of state John Kerry wagging in numerous official statements issued on various occasions.
It is a befitting recognition of the efforts that our country – its leaders and citizens – has made since independence in observing the importance of a functioning democracy and pluralism.
True, not everything is rosy and cosy. And all well-meaning citizens would nag and propose solutions when all is not well. That in itself is an indication of just how basic freedoms, such as that of expression, are safeguarded as part of the broader democratic dispensation.
A few days ago, Reporters Without Borders ranked Namibia again as Africa’s freest media environment – a position we’ve clung onto for successive years.
There are so many good Namibian stories that we ought to celebrate – but whether we do indeed celebrate these victories or not remains the question.
Who will celebrate our victories on our behalf when we seem too proud to express joy at our own achievements?
It is heart-warming to see Namibians working hard in different spheres of their endeavours – trying to make their own lives and indeed Namibia as a whole, better.
We have a consultative government which, as proven by townhall meetings countrywide last year, takes note of people issues and maps out ways to intervene – as witnessed with the invention of Harambee by the President.
What a good time to be alive!