Ngurare pushes for ‘economic democracy’

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says the new administration will work to ensure that Namibia’s resources benefit all citizens across the country, ending the perception that only certain regions or politically connected individuals reap the rewards.Speaking on NTV’s talk show The Agenda, which airs this Sunday, Ngurare called for "economic democracy", suggesting that national resources must be shared equitably among all Namibians.Claims of nepotism – where relatives or friends are prioritised for economic opportunities regardless of merit – have long plagued Namibia. This practice, Ngurare suggested, fuels corruption, undermines development, marginalises qualified individuals, and entrenches a patronage system.Economic democracy Ngurare said genuine, broad-based economic empowerment – a message he has championed since his days as secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) – is impossible unless resources, both natural and otherwise, are distributed equitably.“What we must have is economic democracy – in the sense that resources of the country must benefit everybody. They must not benefit somebody because of their proximity to me or you,” he said.“When we spoke of genuine economic empowerment during our youth league days, we meant that when you see poverty in some parts of the country, you don’t need to wait for Jesus to tell you that there’s fairness that need to be applied there.”He added: “When we see that there is no water or other basic amenities for a dignified life, we must respond to those challenges with speed.”Ngurare said the equitable distribution of resources would also strengthen national unity.Eating mutete to maintain integrityOnce a prominent youth leader, Ngurare was brought back into the political spotlight by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who appointed him as prime minister of her administration, which was sworn in March.Over the years, Ngurare has been lauded as a clean leader, untainted by the corruption scandals that have engulfed many of his peers both inside and outside the ruling party. His insistence on principle – including defending the Swapo constitution when others allegedly disregarded it – is widely seen as the reason for his political marginalisation, culminating in his 2015 expulsion from the party alongside fellow activists Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala.The quartet challenged their expulsion in court and successfully had their membership reinstated.Given President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s own reputation for integrity, Ngurare was asked whether their clean records could help steer Namibia away from endemic corruption.“Being a leader of integrity is not a favour – it’s a must. Even when your principles cost you a livelihood, you sleep well at night. I’m happy to eat mutete or Top Score while I maintain my integrity,” he said.Messing up a generationNgurare revealed that one of his tasks as prime minister is to assess the impact of the government’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy – initially designed to redress past injustices against black Namibians – and whether it has broadly benefited its intended recipients or merely enriched a select few with political ties.“It is important to ensure that those that have been empowered are exemplary in their conduct because on their shoulders rest the hope of others who seek the same opportunity. When you mess up, you’re messing up a generation.”He warned that critics of BEE would feel vindicated if its beneficiaries fail to use their opportunities responsibly.“You must do your utmost best with the opportunity granted to you to prove the naysayers that yes, it can be done.”BEE has faced criticism for being exploited by politically connected individuals, with limited trickle-down benefits to the broader population it was meant to uplift.

Ngurare pushes for ‘economic democracy’

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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Ngurare pushes for ‘economic democracy’

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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