Namibia: A nation in search of peace, apology, reconciliation and inclusivity

PROFESSOR MBURUMBA KERINA WRITES:In 2015, as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) era came to a conclusion, world leaders gathered at the United Nations to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and composed 17 global goals to be activated by 2030.Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.The Namibian government and leaders are confronted with the challenge of fulfilling the 2030 goals.Access to justice is a central issue facing many Namibian communities today in our country. Frustrations are growing daily among the youth regarding the slow pace of fulfilling the dream of employment and their future security in general.The affected communities are equally concerned about the unfinished genocide negotiations. The Erindi issue is an irritating issue on the minds of those who have lost their lands during the colonisation period.Not to mention the most disturbing problem of phosphate mining in the Namibian sensitive ocean that can turn all coastal towns from Walvis Bay to Lüderitz into ghost towns with over 50 000 workers out of their jobs. Phosphate mining will erode the very foundation of our economies, livelihood, food security and national quality of life of our people. It is here where I say the "buck stops here".I support founding President Sam Nujoma and Minister Pohamba Shifeta for saying “NO” to phosphate mining in Namibia. We want investors who want to team up with our government to improve the quality of our people's lives not to destroy the little they enjoy.Case studies over the past years has shown that the Namibian civil societies have made significant efforts to expose the evil designs of corrupt leaders and to strengthen the Rule of Law for the purpose of guaranteeing justice to all Namibians.Finally, and most important for Namibia and the SADC region as a whole is the challenge of creating a region with an economic environment that not only promises greater security for its people, but also greater equity and equality of opportunities for citizens of SADC within the context of the interdependence between member states of the region.Lopsided development, which became a hallmark of the past twenty nine years is nothing but a recipe for misery and disaster and further marginalisation of the poor inhabitants of our country.Our country has been grappling with a long list of painful problems such as escalating poverty, drought, low-based productive capacity and declining productivity, demographic explosion and inadequate foreign investment, aid and a formidable global climate crisis.Namibia is in economic and political transition. Basic human rights are at stake including the rights of our youth to effectively participate in the national development process.The Namibian government must recognise the fact that a sustainable development approach requires the participation of the wider population including women.

Namibia: A nation in search of peace, apology, reconciliation and inclusivity

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Republikein 2025-04-18

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Namibia: A nation in search of peace, apology, reconciliation and inclusivity

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Republikein 2025-04-18

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