Storing for yourself or sharing with others

Former Chief Electoral Officer at the Electoral Commission of Namibia, former Professor at the University of Namibia and former Rector of Paulinum Seminary. He writes in his personal capacity.Namibia is regarded as one of the most unequal countries in the world, second only to South Africa in terms of income inequality. This deep divide remains a persistent challenge, profoundly shaping society. Poverty in Namibia is multidimensional, rooted in the undue affluence of a few and the widening wealth gap between the rich and the poor. Addressing this requires sustained commitment and innovative solutions.As Africans, we often speak of Ubuntu — the philosophy of interconnectedness captured in the saying, “I am because we are.” It stresses community and shared responsibility. As Christians, we are reminded in Matthew 25 to stand in solidarity with the unemployed, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, and the marginalised. In essence, both Ubuntu and Christian teachings underscore the inextricable link between sustainability, justice, and active participation in democracy. True Ubuntu is not storing up riches for oneself and one’s family alone, but sharing with others.The parable in Luke 12:18-19 illustrates this truth. A wealthy farmer, blessed with abundant harvests, decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his surplus, telling himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” Instead of sharing, he hoards. His security lies in possessions, not in community. He becomes self-centred, forgetting that life cannot be measured by wealth.Human beings were created for interdependence. We are meant to live in fellowship, not isolation. A story is told of a wealthy man, once an active churchgoer, who suddenly stopped attending services. One cold evening, his pastor came to visit him. They sat quietly in front of a glowing fire. The pastor took one coal from the fire and placed it aside. Slowly, it lost its heat and turned to ash. Without a word, the pastor left. On Sunday, the man returned to church. The lesson was clear: apart from others, we lose our warmth and purpose.Namibia’s Constitution affirms this principle. Article 10 prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social and economic status. We are called to promote human dignity and development.Our souls can truly “relax, eat, drink, and be merry” only in the context of sharing. To hoard wealth while others suffer is to deny both Ubuntu and our shared humanity.

Storing for yourself or sharing with others

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-23

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Storing for yourself or sharing with others

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-23

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