EDITORIAL: How Namibia can make the world listen

In a world drowning in noise, there are things Namibia can do to make the world pause and listen when we speak.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, advocated for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. This is a powerful message, rooted in Namibia’s own history and principles. But some may not pay adequate attention because it is not a powerful nation - or a powerful president - making the remarks.

But size does not have to be destiny. For a small nation like ours to command the respect it deserves, we may need to do extraordinary things that capture the world’s attention. We need to become known for something beyond the fact that we have uranium, diamonds, oil, gas and vast stretches of land.

We can, for example, aspire to become the first African country to eradicate absolute poverty. That is not a fanciful ambition for a nation of roughly three million people sitting on enormous natural wealth.

Another way is to strengthen our democracy and institutions until they become a benchmark on the continent. When a country is known for credible elections, independent institutions, accountable public officials, a free press, transparent procurement and the peaceful transfer of power, its voice carries a different weight.

Our population may be tiny. Our economy may be modest. Our military may be insignificant by global standards. But our ambitions do not have to be.

If we get the basic things right – governance, healthcare, economic opportunity, institutional integrity – we can make Namibia disproportionately influential.

The objective should not be to shout louder than the bigger countries. It should be to become so good at what we do that the bigger countries have no choice but to listen.