Joel Hashipala
Gaining independence has allowed Namibia to establish its internal and external sovereign powers by being able to make its own decisions and acting as an independent, autonomous entity. As we look into the 34 years of independence, the question remains: are we truly independent as a nation?
It seems that the issue of Namibia after 34 years of independence is deeply rooted in the imbalance between political freedom and economic freedom.
This imbalance has caused inequalities among many Namibians, resulting in their being excluded
from the economic process. Economic inequality breeds social resentment towards governments when they fail to address the socio-economic challenges people face.
While the country has achieved political stability and democracy, economic empowerment for the majority of Namibians remains a significant challenge. This economic challenge remains because the terms and conditions that were accepted by many African leaders during the independence negotiations limited opportunities for economic freedom for the citizens. Economic inequality has impaired the lives of many Namibians. The government’s focus on political stability has not been matched with efforts to distribute economic opportunities more equitably among its citizens.
There’s a huge gap between the rich and poor, which shows that these economic disparities are disempowering our people. This has resulted in a situation where a large portion of the population, particularly the youth, is left unemployed and living in poverty. The control of the economy by a select few, including multinational corporations in sectors like mining, has limited the benefits that Namibians derive from their abundant natural resources. Additionally, the issue of land ownership and access remains a significant hurdle, especially in rural and urban areas. After 34 years, Namibians still find it difficult to obtain land, with large portions of land fenced off by white settlers.
The dependency on government handouts further perpetuates the cycle of poverty, rather than empowering individuals to achieve economic independence. The
current economic framework
does not align with the needs of
the majority of Namibians, particularly the black population.
To truly achieve independence, Namibia needs to address these economic disparities, and create policies that empower its citizens to participate fully in the economy. This may involve reforms in land ownership, economic and taxation policies, and initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and job-creation among its population.
It’s clear that while political freedom is a crucial step, economic freedom is equally important for the overall well-being and development of Namibia and its people.
This realisation highlights the ongoing struggle for many Namibians to break free from the systemic challenges of the poverty and inequality sectors.
*Joel Hashipala is a political
analyst.