Access to justice

In 2015, as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) era came to an end, world leaders gathered at the UN to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and composed 17 global goals to be activated by 2030. The agenda builds on the new addition, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.The Namibian government and leaders are confronted with the challenge of fulfilling the 2030 goals. Access to justice is a central issue facing many in our country. Frustrations are growing daily among the youth regarding the slow pace of fulfilling the dream of employment and their future security in general.The affected communities are equally concerned about the unfinished genocide negotiations. The Erindi sale is an irritating issue in the minds of those who lost their lands during the colonisation period. Not to mention the most disturbing problem of phosphate mining in the sensitive ocean environment that can turn all coastal towns from Walvis Bay to Lüderitz into ghost towns with over 50 000 workers out of their jobs.Phosphate mining will erode the very foundation of our economy, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life of our people. It is just here where I say, “The buck stops here.”I support Founding President Sam Nujoma and Minister Pohamba Shifeta for saying no to phosphate mining in Namibia. We want investors who want to team up with our government to improve the quality of our people's lives, not to destroy the little they enjoy.The case study over the past years has shown that Namibian civil society has made significant efforts to expose the evil designs of corrupt leaders and to strengthen the Rule of Law for the purpose of guaranteeing justice to all Namibians.Most important for Namibia and the SADC Region as a whole is the challenge of creating a region with an economic environment that not only promises greater security for its people, but also greater equity and equality of opportunities for citizens of the SADC region within the context of interdependence.Developments have shown that lopsided development - which has become a hallmark of the past 29 years – is nothing but a recipe for misery and disaster and further marginalisation of the poor inhabitants of our country.Our country has been grappling with a long list of painful problems such as escalating poverty, drought, low productive capacity and declining productivity, demographic explosion and inadequate foreign investment, aid and a formidable global climate crisis.Namibia is in economic and political transition. Basic human rights are at stake, including the rights of our youth to effectively participate in the national development process.The Namibian government must recognise the fact that a sustainable development approach requires the participation of the wider population, including women.

Access to justice

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

Please login to leave a comment

Access to justice

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

Please login to leave a comment

Login