Namibia’s business community calls for action against unemployment, poverty and inequality in tribute to late Founding President Sam Nujoma. In this regard, they have emphasised an urgent need to address the country’s persistent challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality, viewing this as the most fitting tribute to the late founding president.

During a memorial service last week, Vetumbuavi Mungunda, director of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), stated that the business community believes Nujoma has done what he had to do, and that it is now up to the current generation to carry this mission forward.

“This will be the only fitting tribute to the founding father’s legacy, by working to build our nation towards not only prosperity, but also shared prosperity,” he stressed.

He further noted the business community’s significant role in collaborating with the government and social sector to achieve shared prosperity.

 Mungunda highlighted Nujoma’s commitment to promoting value-addition and beneficiation of natural resources as an economic strategy for wealth-creation in agriculture, mining and industrial expansion.

He also recalled Nujoma’s practice of including Namibian business leaders in his travels, which facilitated valuable connections and partnerships. He challenged business leaders to build on his web of advocating for inclusivity and the creation of a more just society for all.

Mungunda added that the late president laid “firm, fertile ground to take our nation to new levels of prosperity where all Namibians can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of our country”.

Marco Wenk, representing Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, described Nujoma as “the architect of our nation’s unity, guiding us from a painful racially-divided past into a future of hope, reconciliation and shared prosperity”.

He recounted a meeting between the principal owner of Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group and Nujoma in 1989, where Nujoma “offered a firm and reassuring message that Namibia belongs to all people, and everyone has a role to play in building it”.

Wenk stressed that Nujoma’s open-door policy was a reality, as he welcomed business with wisdom and deep understanding of the country, and social and economic needs. 

-mndjavera@nepc.com.na