EDITORIAL: Strategic humility is good for Namibia’s economy
Appearing on The Agenda last night, economist Rowland Brown delivered a sobering truth bomb: Namibians must learn to embrace authentic national pride, not the hollow, chest-thumping variety that clouds judgement – especially when shaping our foreign policy and economic direction.
In a candid assessment, Brown described Namibia’s economy as “insignificant” in the global context. To drive the point home, he noted that Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront mall attracts more annual visitors than the entire nation of Namibia.
His comments were a response to Namibia’s recent decision to introduce a blanket reciprocal visa regime, requiring visas from nationals of any country that demands them from Namibians. While seemingly fair on paper, Brown argued this tit-for-tat approach may do more harm than good.
This isn’t about the cost of a visa, he clarified. It’s about the exhausting, often bureaucratic hurdles that make visiting Namibia more hassle than it’s worth. In a competitive global tourism market, ease of access matters.
And he’s right. Despite our pride in Namibia’s natural beauty and cultural richness, we must admit that what we offer is not uniquely irreplaceable. The dunes, the wildlife, the landscapes – these experiences exist in similar form elsewhere. To remain competitive, we must go beyond the scenery. We must innovate, differentiate and simplify access.
A more welcoming, streamlined visa process, or better yet, visa waivers for strategic partners, could be the very edge we need to stand out in a saturated travel market.
Pride, when it distorts reality, becomes dangerous. It feeds delusions that we are more influential than we truly are. And in a small economy like ours, excessive ego can be an expensive indulgence. What Namibia needs now is not inflated self-regard but strategic humility.
In a candid assessment, Brown described Namibia’s economy as “insignificant” in the global context. To drive the point home, he noted that Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront mall attracts more annual visitors than the entire nation of Namibia.
His comments were a response to Namibia’s recent decision to introduce a blanket reciprocal visa regime, requiring visas from nationals of any country that demands them from Namibians. While seemingly fair on paper, Brown argued this tit-for-tat approach may do more harm than good.
This isn’t about the cost of a visa, he clarified. It’s about the exhausting, often bureaucratic hurdles that make visiting Namibia more hassle than it’s worth. In a competitive global tourism market, ease of access matters.
And he’s right. Despite our pride in Namibia’s natural beauty and cultural richness, we must admit that what we offer is not uniquely irreplaceable. The dunes, the wildlife, the landscapes – these experiences exist in similar form elsewhere. To remain competitive, we must go beyond the scenery. We must innovate, differentiate and simplify access.
A more welcoming, streamlined visa process, or better yet, visa waivers for strategic partners, could be the very edge we need to stand out in a saturated travel market.
Pride, when it distorts reality, becomes dangerous. It feeds delusions that we are more influential than we truly are. And in a small economy like ours, excessive ego can be an expensive indulgence. What Namibia needs now is not inflated self-regard but strategic humility.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article