Namibians leading in the diaspora

Upon attaining independence in 1990, Namibia formalised its membership in several international and regional organisations, including the Southern African Customs Union, the Common Monetary Area, the World Trade Organisation, the African Development Bank, and others.

As an independent country with a Ministry responsible for international relations, Namibia could not ignore the growing trend of Regionalisation and Globalisation.

Kacowicz (1998) defines Globalisation as “the growing interdependence and interconnectedness of the world's people, businesses, and governments”, while the author describes Regionalisation as “the geographic concentration of economic, political, or social activities within a particular region”.

Therefore, Namibia has taken the correct steps in her affiliation to these agencies, as this is important for national security, access to a larger market, helps give Namibia a voice at the global level, brings in foreign investment opportunities, helps access technical expertise and financial grants, addresses transnational challenges, develops regional infrastructure, and so on.

In fact, Konrad, Adenauer and Stiftung published an article authored by Advocate Bience Gawanas titled ‘Namibia and the African Union’ confirming that Namibia’s quest for international recognition already started during the liberation struggle when political movements made alliances with the United Nations, Organisation of the African Union (now African Union), the Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community (SADC), the non-Aligned Movement and other Frontline States.

These affiliations were further narrowed to the institutional level, where Government entities can ratify international treaties and sign up for membership in various sector-specific agencies/bodies that would serve the best interests of the country and sector. Namibia’s ratification and membership also undergo scrutiny by the Attorney-General and Cabinet to ensure that the country makes informed decisions that will be in the best interests of every Namibian and the country at large, today and in the future.

Active contributor

However, Namibia has proven not only to be a spectator and round-table participant in these agencies, but also an active contributor to the body of knowledge, expertise, and skills to help achieve key strategic commitments, not only to national development but also to regional and international development.

Notably, Namibian personalities have served at various levels globally: Honourable Stanley Simataa, former Member of Parliament served as the President of the 39th Session of the UNESCO General Conference; Advocate Bience Gawanas, a respected Namibian lawyer served as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa and African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs and is now appointed as Chancellor of the University of Warwick since 2025; Namibia was re-elected to the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Administrative Council for a second term for the period 2026 – 2030 where the country was also selected to serve as the Chairperson of the Administrative Council, represented by Ms. Emilia Eino (current Manager: Postal and e-Commerce at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia); Dr. Richard Kamwi, former Parliamentarian, championed malaria elimination across southern Africa, earning global recognition, including the World Health Organisation Gold Medal Award and Harvard Leadership Award in Health , was recently appointed President of the Society for AIDS in Africa, just to mention a few Namibian trendsetters.

It goes without saying that serving in their respective capacities within these international or regional bodies carries immense personal, professional, institutional, and national prestige.

It elevates not only their individual stature to recognised global, continental and regional authority, but it also puts Namibia as a country on the map, recognised for its capacity to produce, nurture and offer the world unique expertise, giving the country and persons the power to influence and shape policies and strategies that would impact the world.

Homegrown experiences

These experts possess world-class expertise, diplomatic acumen, and impeccable professional credentials to bring homegrown experiences and talent to the international and regional stages.

They engage industry leaders, heads of state, leading academics, international diplomats and persons from various disciplines as they execute their mandates. Everywhere they go, Namibia goes with them; Namibia is recognised, and Brand Namibia grows. This is an intangible benefit to every Namibian. It shows that the world has seen us, trusts us, and believes in our vision.

Similarly, the Land of the Brave was again recognised by the Communications Regulatory Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), a specialised agency of SADC with a focus on ‘harmonise Postal and Information Communications and Technologies regulatory environment in the SADC region to improve the Postal and ICT business frameworks and investment climates in the region’. CRASA appointed one of Namibia’s own to serve as its Executive Secretary for the next four years.

The appointment of Dr Stanley Shanapinda, Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Namibia, to lead a regional organisation overseeing regulatory affairs of about 14 SADC Member States, ranging from Comoros, Angola, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Mauritius, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and this cannot be ignored.

As a country, we ought to rise and celebrate in unity. This appointment involved a competitive, rigorous recruitment process across southern Africa to find an ideal candidate to standardise regulatory matters and promote cooperation among ICT regulators in the SADC region.

Regional appointments

According to the advert, CRASA sought a ‘dynamic, innovative and result-oriented individual from a SADC Member Country’ – Namibia should be proud to have served the region with that individual.

As with all other international and regional appointments, this is a win not only for Dr Shanapinda but also for the entire country of Namibia. It is another confirmation that our neighbours trust us to lead the digital transformation agenda not only of Namibia but also of 13 other countries, and to inform the SADC position on ICT-related matters at continental and global fora. This is a sign that we are doing something correct as a country and that we are home to the world’s most renowned experts. These opportunities are the hope our children need – to realise that they, too, can see themselves beyond the borders of this country, to know that nothing is impossible for the Namibian child, to know that the world is indeed our oyster; all we need is to reach out and take bold steps.

Dr Shanapinda, Adv. Gawanas, Hon. Simataa, Ms Eino, Dr Kamwi, and every other Namibian out there making strides across our borders, thank you for what you have done for the country, thank you for inspiring thousands of Namibians, thank you for carrying our flag, albeit with very little fanfare and a lot of criticism, and thank you for making me a proud Namibian. It is Namibia forward, forever!

My Namibia, My Country, My Pride!

*Emerencia Nguarambuka is an Development Scholar and Proud Namibian