The year 2021 was unconventional yet eventful. We look at some of the developments, highlights, mamparas and several lowlights that marked the last 12 months.
MOST INSPIRING PERSONALITIES
Christine Mboma
The story of Mboma, which saw her winning Namibia’s first Olympic medal in 25 years against all odds, is a remarkable one. Just weeks before the Olympic games, Mboma and her stablemate Beatrice Masilingi suffered a huge blow when World Athletics found they had differences in sexual development (DSD) and high natural levels of testosterone; thus, not eligible to compete in their preferred 400m race in their maiden Olympics. Despite the ban, Mboma went on to establish herself as a sprinting queen by winning a silver at the Tokyo games. She also won the Diamond League championship, while she also captured the junior
world title.
Beatrice Masilingi
Like Mboma, Masilingi capped a successful year, which included bagging two medals at the u20 World Athletics Championships in Kenya this winter.
NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR
President Hage Geingob
His communications team has finally realised that the President’s schedule and engagements are important, and have kept him in the news almost daily. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but what he says makes news – if only the President and his crew can realise that and manage his off-the-cuff and off-colour remarks that paint him as aggressive, aloof, out of touch and with a chip on his shoulder.
Dr Kalumbi Shangula
Calm and composed, the health minister never showed signs of panic despite the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the country’s health sector. Shangula and his colleagues in Cabinet, under the leadership of President Hage Geingob, have done a remarkable job and should be applauded for their efforts to curb the spread of the virulent pandemic in our country. Because of his accessibility to the media, Shangula has been ever-present in the news this year.
Windhoek’s ‘Progressive Forces’
The coalition agreement, which was finally signed and sealed by the City of Windhoek’s coalition partners in August, was short-lived when a succession battle reared its ugly head. Although former mayor Job Amupanda and his fellow councillors have done relatively well when it comes to positioning the city to its main strategic sectors, infighting and land grab challenges proved to be their Achilles heel.
ReconAfrica
The Canadian firm’s oil and gas search in the two Kavango regions enjoyed prominently, yet mixed media coverage over the course of the year.
IPC
The new kid on the block has been restraining its councillors at the slightest provocation. Its unorthodox way of dealing with governance issues and the central role it plays in Namibia’s biggest local authority put it front and centre in the news.
Fishrot
The Fishrot scandal, which has landed businesspeople and former Cabinet ministers in police custody, remains a topical issue. The public also got a chance to have a feel of court proceedings when permission was granted to livestream various bail applications brought by the accused.
LGBTQ+ and pro-choice campaigns
Activists promoting equal rights for sexual minorities and body autonomy for women have been increasingly vocal and visible through parliamentary committee submissions, opinion pieces, demonstrations at court and a pride week march.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Namibian cricket has quietly managed to become a force both on and off the field. Ranked 19th in the world, the country reached the Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup in the UAE after shocking several second-tier competitors – soon after that successful tournament with the announcement that the country will co-host the Cricket World Cup along with South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2027. Namibia’s last appearance at a Cricket World Cup was in 2003.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Henk Botha
Athletics coach Henk Botha for steering Namibia’s premier athletics talent into stardom.
Chanique Rabe for winning Miss Supranatural 2021.
MTC listing on the Namibia Stock Exchange provides a chance for ordinary Namibians to own shares in a successful, profitable Namibian company.
Never Walk Alone initiative to provide thousands of children with school shoes.
Shack Dwellers Federation for playing a massive role in helping Namibians to build decent houses for themselves.
Tate Usko Nghaamwa’s generosity has been a rare glimmer of hope during a trying year.
LOWLIGHTS
Parliament shenanigans
Parliamentarians on both sides of the aisle should focus on improving the lives of the electorate – not getting embroiled in shameful sideshows. They should do better research, talk to ordinary Namibians more and present better arguments and suggestions.
SGBV
Violence against women and children continues to blight society.
Covid deaths
Many Namibians have lost their lives to Covid-19, especially during the deadly third wave of June and July.
Anti-vaxxers
Those ‘independent thinkers’ and ‘researchers’ continue to hold Namibia back by spewing their misinformation wherever they go. Vaccination is a personal choice, for now, so the anti-vaxxers should keep their misinformation to themselves.
MOEGOE OF THE YEAR
The NFA now had more suspensions of their executive than actual league champions in the last three years. Football is on its knees. In fact, it does not exist, but the people in charge are playing big boss and earning salaries, while some footballers have turned to a life of crime.