Namibia cannot afford a Zuma

Namibians were among the most eager to witness the shame and disgust that unfolded last week during South Africa&rsquo;s State of the Nation Address by that country&rsquo;s President Jacob Zuma. There are many reasons for this, including strong historical ties and a common history of anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle. The fact that our financial currencies are joined at the hip adds to our interest. One of the protagonists Julius Malema was in fact installed as newsmaker of the year in the Land of the Brave a few years ago. While South Africa was referred to as the Rainbow Nation and was lifted up as a beacon for the entire globe after apartheid ended with a negotiated settlement, Namibia, which experienced a similar miracle, did not make international waves in the same way. Of course the size and complexity of the challenges in the two countries differ. But it was with a degree of sadness that Namibians watched last Thursday just how far our neighbours from across the Orange River have slipped from the Mandela and Mbeki days. Having Julius and his fellow Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) violently and forcefully removed from Parliament for asking a question that has been on the lips of all who have watched the unfolding Nkandla saga, where hundreds of millions where wastefully and wantonly spent on upgrading Zuma&rsquo;s homestead, was a tipping point of some sort. Some are calling the reaction to asking Zuma when he will pay the money as the death of democracy in South Africa. Yet besides cringing, what will Namibians proactively do to ensure that escaping accountability for corruption does not become endemic here? And that those in power do not use the very instruments of our democracy to swerve out of reach of our courts. We certainly cannot afford a Zuma.

Namibia cannot afford a Zuma

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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Namibia cannot afford a Zuma

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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