Namibia: Heaven in a world of madness
Look at the current madness gripping parts of the world, and suddenly Namibia – with all its flaws – feels like heaven.
This week, America plunged into yet another storm after the assassination of right-wing political activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk. His killing is the latest in a growing list of politically motivated murders in a country that once called itself the world’s beacon of democracy. In June, Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman was also assassinated. These are targeted, cold-blooded executions fuelled by ideological hatred – red versus blue, left versus right.
Across the Orange River, South Africans are fighting their own demons. In 2023 alone, there were 31 political assassinations, most linked to corruption cover-ups, power struggles and revenge killings. Councillors, whistle-blowers and officials live under constant threat. In a country that fought so hard for liberation, the post-apartheid story has become one where bullets often speak louder than ballots.
And so, when viewed against this backdrop, Namibia feels like an oasis of calmness. That calm, however, must never be mistaken for inevitability. Peace does not happen by accident – it is built, nurtured, and defended every day.
We must remember that peace is not just the absence of blazing guns. True stability is also about economic justice, jobs that bring dignity, and food on the table that eases despair.
That is why Namibia cannot afford complacency. Our so-called peace must be tested against whether a child in Okanguati or Sikaro Sompo can access medicine.
The world out there is cold. Life is, indeed, a fatal disease. But here, in this small corner of the earth, we have a chance to keep our nation warm with peace and possibility. Thank you, Namibians, for holding onto that fragile gift.
This week, America plunged into yet another storm after the assassination of right-wing political activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk. His killing is the latest in a growing list of politically motivated murders in a country that once called itself the world’s beacon of democracy. In June, Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman was also assassinated. These are targeted, cold-blooded executions fuelled by ideological hatred – red versus blue, left versus right.
Across the Orange River, South Africans are fighting their own demons. In 2023 alone, there were 31 political assassinations, most linked to corruption cover-ups, power struggles and revenge killings. Councillors, whistle-blowers and officials live under constant threat. In a country that fought so hard for liberation, the post-apartheid story has become one where bullets often speak louder than ballots.
And so, when viewed against this backdrop, Namibia feels like an oasis of calmness. That calm, however, must never be mistaken for inevitability. Peace does not happen by accident – it is built, nurtured, and defended every day.
We must remember that peace is not just the absence of blazing guns. True stability is also about economic justice, jobs that bring dignity, and food on the table that eases despair.
That is why Namibia cannot afford complacency. Our so-called peace must be tested against whether a child in Okanguati or Sikaro Sompo can access medicine.
The world out there is cold. Life is, indeed, a fatal disease. But here, in this small corner of the earth, we have a chance to keep our nation warm with peace and possibility. Thank you, Namibians, for holding onto that fragile gift.
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Namibian Sun
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