EDITORIAL: Fixing roads, fixing lives

Namibia’s biggest economic burdens are no secret: unemployment and decaying infrastructure. One affects livelihoods. The other affects quality of life. But both can be tackled with one strategy that’s staring us in the face: public works.We don’t need blue-sky theories or grand development frameworks that take years to show results. What we need is immediate, visible action. Roads, hospitals, schools, housing – all are in desperate need of repair. And we have thousands of Namibians standing idle, skilled and ready to get their hands dirty.Mass housing units are falling apart. Public roads are riddled with potholes. Clinics and hospitals have leaking roofs, are breaking down, or are operating with facilities that belong in history books. None of this is new. What’s frustrating is that we’ve normalised it.These structures won’t fix themselves. They need people. And we have people.Public works is the bridge between our two greatest problems – unemployment and infrastructure decay. It creates jobs while rebuilding the systems that hold our economy together. And it doesn&#039;t just benefit construction workers. The ripple effects extend to suppliers, transporters, SMEs and service industries.Strong infrastructure doesn’t just make life easier – it makes development possible. Reliable roads move goods faster. Schools that aren’t falling apart give learners a better chance. Clean, functional hospitals save lives. Every improvement in public infrastructure is a direct investment in our collective wellbeing.Right now, we’re making too many promises and not enough progress. We can’t afford to wait any longer. Public works isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a shovel - and with enough of those in the right hands, we can start digging ourselves out of this mess. Let’s stop dreaming and start building.

EDITORIAL: Fixing roads, fixing lives

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

Please login to leave a comment

EDITORIAL: Fixing roads, fixing lives

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login