Namibia is failing its people

After 27 years of independence, the demographics in economic wealth distribution simply do not adequately reflect the ideals for which our forefathers fought. These demographics remain unacceptably skewed, with the economy being controlled by the minority. The word 'independence' is more meaningful to some than to others and this is concerning. If we look at what independence ought to mean, then unfortunately only the minority of Namibians are economically free. Ndumba J Kamwanyah makes no mistake when he writes about the lack of transparency in the fishing and lands industries, and how the economy is still run by former colonial beneficiaries and emerging black elites, in patterns similar to those which were used during colonial times. The integration and equality we hear of at rallies during every election season are seemingly only felt by those who can afford it and unfortunately this has had extreme effects on the majority of the Namibian population. When one out of two academically performing children has more opportunities, because they belong to the elite class, then we have a problem. When more money equals more or better opportunities, then we have a problem. And in a country plagued with corruption, this is where these injustices thrive. Just recently, the unfair allocation of land, once again, made headlines. This is nothing new in Namibia and this was only possible because the beneficiaries of these injustices could pay their way through the system or use their positions of power to have their names unfairly placed on top of resettlement lists. This is of particular concern when looking at the bizarre amounts of land which members in influential positions unfairly receive. More alarmingly, though, this is at the expense of Namibians whom this land is owed to. The councils ought to feel ashamed of their practices at the expense of citizens. As a matter of fact, those distributing land unfairly, for whatever gains should immediately be removed from their positions! Such unethical practices cannot be tolerated, especially not when it comes to something such as land, in a country with a history plagued with inequality and the denial of land ownership to the majority. The patience of the people is running out. That people in positions of power have the audacity to take part in such practices should be an indication of the lack of transparency being nothing new and one can only begin to imagine how many other corrupt practices go unheard of on a daily basis. A radical paradigm shift is needed in order to have long-lasting change in all sectors. If it requires for laws to be strengthened, then that burden rests on the judiciary. If it requires the Anti-Corruption to be given more powers, then let that be. The demographics in land and business ownership 27 years ago are not as different from those today as they are supposed to be. The shift after 27 years is simply not adequate. The fact that land needs to be bought by the government from beneficiaries of colonialism is fair. The rate at which this land is bought is questionable though. What constitutes “fair”? In status quo, “fair” is market value. It is beyond me how that is fair when the way the land was taken was not fair to begin with. The metric is flawed when considering the history and this is the reason why so much land is still in the hands of the colonial beneficiaries. This is the reason why they, the minority, are still economically ahead, why they are the ones who run majority of the businesses and why they can afford shares in various companies in all sectors. This is why their children are taught at private schools and systematically their dominance in society continues, generation after generation. And even if they sold their land, the only ones who would have access to it to begin with are the elite. It is simple, if you have the land, you have power. And this is the reason why independence becomes less meaningful to the masses. They might have all other freedoms, but for as long as they do not have land, they are not truly independent. When the municipality destroys the shacks of those who do not have homes, then it becomes questionable what independence means. We are not free until we have an economy for all. We are not free for as long as more money allows for others to be denied equal opportunities. The lack of transparency and accountability within our systems in unacceptable, because somewhere, somehow, someone will suffer the effects. Those who cannot afford private schools suffer the consequences, because corruption means less stationery, less or no textbooks in those schools. Those who cannot afford private healthcare suffer because corruption means less money available for medication, which means a lower quality or a lower quantity of medication. Let us work towards a Namibia in which we can boast transparency and accountability, one in which the economy benefits the masses. Let us work towards a Namibia in which independence becomes something meaningful. *Patience Masua is a first-year student studying towards a Bachelor's degree in law (Honours) at the University of Namibia

Namibia is failing its people

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-18

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Namibia is failing its people

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-18

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