President Hage Geingob, in his annual New Year’s message, urged Namibians to welcome 2023 as a year of revival and look into the future with renewed hope and optimism.

Geingob said as the Namibian people were saying goodbye to 2022, a year that focused on reimaging the local economy, they should also welcome 2023 with reignited strength for them to shape the future towards shared prosperity.

The president stated that during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibia navigated heavy storms, headwinds and rough waters.

“Although today we are rejoicing the fact that we overcame what seemed like an absolute catastrophe during the Covid-19 outbreak in 2021 and 2022, a sense of melancholy still lingers as we remind ourselves of those who did not make it through the difficult days of the disease,” he said.

President Geingob hailed those who averted what would have been “an economically devastating strike” by civil servants.

“At the social level, it is pleasing to note that we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable. However, when it comes to national interests, we can always set our differences aside for the sake of peace and harmony,” he said.

Geingob pleaded with Namibians to endeavour to keep the peace by behaving responsibly.

“Let us go into the new year, knowing that in this land, blessed by many gems and natural resources, unity is one of our most precious treasures. It is our collective responsibility to protect it and prevent anyone from stealing it from us. There are those who want to see Namibia crash and burn. Let us hold hands in solidarity and continue to prevent their efforts,” he said.

President Geingob said agriculture, mining and ICT are the main drivers for expected growth this year – and given the fact that the tourism sector is

experiencing a post-Covid-19 rebound, there is room for more optimism in future.

Geingob is optimistic that the discoveries of potential giant oil reserves offshore Namibia in the Orange Basin would positively transform the economic landscape of the country and the well-being of the people.

These discoveries are ranked among the top 20 globally in the last decade.

“Of course, further drilling work and evaluations are ongoing to determine the precise commercial viability of these finds. However, the renewed interest means that Namibia can expect increased foreign and domestic direct investment inflows – not only into the gas and oil sectors but also into the broader economy – both in the short and medium terms. This bodes well for the acceleration of our economic recovery,” he said.

He added that as a nation, it is time to celebrate the ending of 2022 and look forward in anticipation of the new beginnings of 2023.

Geingob further stated it is correct for the nation to have new thoughts, fresh ideas and new goals for the year 2023.

He noted that at the beginning of each new year, it is also correct for the nation to reflect on the year that was, along with its pleasant and unpleasant memories, opportunities that were seized and opportunities that were missed.

“It is also the right time to reflect on the times of the struggles the nation faced, and on the times the nation welcomed those that arrived by birth and those that departed by death,” he said.

The New Year’s message was aired live by various local television and radio stations.