President Nangolo Mbumba, your life thus far encapsulates an important and integral chapter in the history of Namibia.
Even though the presidency is a challenging and demanding job that can drain a person’s energy, I do not have any doubt that your ascension to the highest office of the land is a testament to hope. Judging your track records, you played a very important role in the negotiations that made it possible for Walvis Bay to return to Namibia in 1994. As a young person of 28, I know that by the design of God, you are the 4th president of Namibia. You will be the president of Namibia for a short period of time, probably a year. But, Mr President, length and duration do not cut it, because what you have done thus far as a president can be seen and touched.
With the shortest period in office as the Head of State and government, I know you will be able to move mountains and lead this beautiful nation to the land of milk and honey.
Mr President, here is my humble appeal to you as the head of state to address these issues before leaving power: 21 March 2025. Once you do it, you will be forever remembered with respect and dignity.
Give madam Monica Geingos the Mother of the Year Award in 2024. It takes great courage and persistence for one to handle the path she has experienced. Many of us regard her as a great source of inspiration. She deserves an award this year. A national prayer day is needed in Namibia, regardless of faith. Mr President, times are tough. We are still emerging from the economic fallout of Covid-19, followed by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has led to increases in the prices of commodities, the cost of production and currency fluctuations. On top of this, we have a severe drought. In the same vein, we are also worried about the future of South Africa, and its impact on the Namibian economy.
Your administration and all Namibian inhabitants should start a national conversation on how to forge a new social contract aimed at addressing the unemployment epidemic in Namibia. Unless urgent action is taken to address the backward slide of the youth, Namibia will forever reap the opposite of so-called demographic dividends. I specifically am not excited about the economic situation in Namibia; I am thinking about how my fellow unemployed graduates will afford 2025 and beyond. Cabinet must understand why the very long-overdue Basic Income Grant must be implemented without delay. I am referring to Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution, which ensures that the unemployed, the incapacitated, the diligent and the disadvantaged are accorded such social benefits and amenities, as are determined by the parliament.
John F Kennedy once said, ‘If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich’. BIG is the only central pillar of Namibia’s social welfare system. We forge a path towards a future where poverty no longer dictates our destiny, but rather serves as a catalyst for positive change and enduring prosperity. Namibia should host an employment-creation conference. We will speak about ‘A Project Namibia’ because we have never spoken about it. We will emulate South Africa. In 1910, when SA seized power from Great Britain and became a union, they fought about the future. They had a project called SA. So, they established four republics: Orange Free State, Transvaal, Natal and Cape Province. They made sure that each province had an activity that others do not have to stimulate economic development, job-creation, and wealth distribution.
Our freedom fighters won political freedom, but poverty was never defeated. This is the reason for 2.1 million Namibian young people to fight for economic freedom and prosperity. Mr President, I encourage you to take time to read my articles published by New Era newspaper and by The Namibian as of January 2024. Together, they will make Namibia a land of honey and milk.
Long live, Mr President. Long live
Namibia, a child of international solidarity midwifed by the UN.
*Alfeus Lungameni Hamundja lives in the Ohangwena region.