The year 2023 was noteworthy. So much happened, big and small, good and bad, and all took place in the past year.
The part which is a critical component to anyone or an organisation's being is allowing for retrospection to avoid hurdles of the past, while seeing foundations already laid.
However, our focus must not defer away from the future as this is where we are perpetually heading to.
Every moment, past and present, is building towards the future.
All this leads to the question: where do we go from here? My answer to this question is that we all, as Namibians, can act in being agents of positive transformation and growth in our communities.
Transformative persons are never satisfied with the status quo. They see possibilities of changing things for the better. They believe in both social and ecclesiastical change.
These are the types of people that our society needs, a befitting description of our late president Hage Geingob, a man who believed in social change, and touched the hearts of many with his concept of the “Namibian House”.
Sadly, our plans are never those of God, who took him to his forever home on 4 February 2024. May his soul rest in peace.
Which leads me to the question: “Where do we go from here?”
To answer this question, we must first frankly recognise where we are now.
Our country suffers from one of the highest inequalities economically on the continent.
Namibia ranks among the highest per capita consumers of alcohol on the continent (not that this is necessarily bad, but the impact of alcohol abuse has far-reaching ramifications).
Our daily newspapers carry regular articles on GBV.
This calls for all Namibians to make a concerted effort to change the current rhetoric positively; turning to actions which bring about transformation, that change water into wines, war into
peace, oppression into freedom.
It is to live and make tangible differences in the real-life situation.
From these practical actions through close observation, one is able to identify new insights and knowledge which lead to further and improved practice; to connect our ideals with reality.
This is only to be our Namibian reality if we all take a transformative stance towards the betterment of our immediate communities and the country at large. As we enter a new decade, the attainment of our national agendas, such as the NDP 5, Harambee Prosperity Plan as well as Vision 2030 require a cumulative effort on our
part. Pursuing the ideals of self-sacrifice and “Ubuntu”, coupled with dedication and conscientious input, we can make Namibia the great nation it is destined to be. In the words of our late president: “I call on all of you to hold hands, and to ensure that no one feels left out of the Namibian House,” I conclude.
*Reverend Jan A Scholtz is the former chairperson of the //Kharas Regional Council. He is a holder of a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA), and a Diploma in Education III (KOK) BA (HED) from UNISA.