Editorial: Mourning together, acting beyond the tears

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has shown a human face in leadership, standing shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved.



She did so in Okahandja, where the loss of innocent schoolgirls shook the town, and she has done so again as the nation mourns 16 lives lost in a tragic road accident.



In these moments, she has embodied the role of a caring mother – present, compassionate and visibly sharing in the sorrow of ordinary Namibians.



Such gestures reassure communities that their pain is not ignored, that the highest office in the land shares their sorrow.



They foster unity and a sense of togetherness. Namibia has rarely felt more united than when its leaders stood with grieving families.

Yet beyond the comfort of shared mourning lies the pressing question: what now, and what next?



The Okahandja case is fading into silence, with families and citizens left in the dark.



High-profile tragedies must not be remembered only for emotional speeches and moments of solidarity. They require action, updates and accountability.



After the mourning, the real work begins – ensuring these losses are not repeated, and that lessons shape lasting change.