Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s attempt to develop Namibia without disrupting the country’s rampant ‘free-market’ capitalism, characterised by nonexistent regulation and historically ingrained austerity, is tantamount to entering the ring against prime Harry Simon with her scarf tying her arms behind her back and her doek pulled over her eyes.
It would seem NNN wants the economy to grow and develop and will guide industrialisation and development through State intervention and management to counter underdevelopment.
But just like her predecessors, she has her hands tied, and Harry has already landed a few punches even before the clang for the first round.
The president has to find legislative solutions while traversing a razor-thin majority in parliament, an energetic opposition and limited budgetary wiggle room while her government’s toolkit is stocked only with worn boxing gloves, bluster and excuses for consistent nonperformance.
Namibians have been described once by one of her predecessors as specialists in complaining, and considering NNN’s pronouncement on unemployment, all the other ills, and her boardroom approach to the Executive, she clearly got the issues.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much she can do now or even over the next three years.
Because, MTEF.
The administration, like all previous ones, has limited control over economic conditions because of the peg to the Rand and our relatively small size, but chiefly because of the ruling party’s schizophrenic economic ideology, which has the country chasing a developmental state with capitalist tools and with someone else’s money.
NNN, like her predecessors, however, has agency over policy choices, strategic deployment of competent cadres and budget priorities, but by the looks of things, the President’s corner already looks in disarray, punch-drunk and ill-prepared. It’s raining punches, including a nonexistent vetting system that landed her administration on the ropes, bleeding profusely from a nasty uppercut.
A month into the ‘clean’ candidate’s administration, the dirtiest of scandal-riddled resignations.
On a Sunday morning.
Followed by the Presidency announcing he was in fact fired.
And the firing is backdated.
Agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari was allegedly caught with a left hook trying to rope-a-dope Harry while trying to hold on for the bell.
INSTANT BUDGET
It wasn’t a surprise that NNN’s budget, read by her new finance minister just a week after her inauguration, seemed blissfully unaware of her “business unusual” mantra. There is no radical plan or budgetary provision for increased housing because it is not possible. The rolling nature of the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), which outlines a government’s planned spending over a three-year period, is reviewed annually, with the first year being the firm budget and subsequent years as projections. The president said during her Sona that she instead supports the gradual increment, starting in three years, of the old-age pension from N$1 600 to N$3 000 as the government cannot afford an increment this year.
She had to rob the elderly (kick her ‘pension increase’ can down the road) to ‘empower’ the youth, she tried to explain.
Her plan to construct 5 000 homes in Khomas alone in the next five years already looks a tall order considering National Housing Enterprises (NHE) managed to build roughly 20 000 units since 1993. Windhoek, the capital of Khomas, saw 1 900 house plans approved last year. That was a 40% increase from the previous year.
There was a need for the president to explain how this revolution would be achieved.
Remember, in 2022 the Namibian government allocated N$50 million for the upgrade and renovation of the Independence Stadium in Windhoek to meet the requirements for hosting international football matches. This upgrade was intended to bring the stadium to the standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA for hosting international fixtures.
In 2023, over N$160 million was allocated.
A combination of incompetence and bungling managed to pummel the upgrade plans to a pulp. The cost for the Independence Stadium shot up to N$2 billion without so much as a lick of paint being applied three years later, while a discarded Afcon joint bid may have caused more than just a little friction between us and Botswana. These facts prompted the president to unveil a N$200 million plan for sports facilities all over the country.
The administration will build and renovate seven 30 000 seat stadiums in various regions… this financial year.
So, NNN’s acknowledgement of implementing the opposition’s long slog to get university fees scrapped and striking a conciliatory tone was a fresh departure from her predecessors. But how will this be funded? How will disbursement be done considering the historic failure of NSFAF to pay on time? Would there be limits to what students could study? Where does it leave private institutions? Will the government leave it up to the university to decide? Will universities get quotas for the number of teachers, nurses, IT technicians, mechanics and lawyers?
President Nandi-Ndaitwah at her Sona acknowledged Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda as a staunch advocate for a more sensible way of funding tertiary education.
Namibians will undoubtedly rejoice in the news that the government has finally heard their pleas to scrap registration and tuition fees from 2026.
The goodwill was reciprocated by sound questions and suggestions from the opposition. I measured tones, ranging from better deals for farmers to constructing a city in the north of the country.
LANDING
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi said the new administration is spreading itself too thin and should adopt a more focused strategy.
Nandi-Ndaitwah replied that job creation was her top priority.
“I want to make sure Namibians are employed in all areas. That is why we must invest in all sectors, from agriculture to tourism and energy. We cannot leave anyone behind. Every sector has potential. My landing is to create jobs in this country,” she said.
The official opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), in their version of the SONA, jabbed at the president’s attempts to wash her hands of the developmental shortfalls she helped to create since independence, her Cabinet decisions and her supposed amnesty for corruption that predates her rule.
The IPC suggested declaring corruption treason, but offering a cutoff date for condoning corruption is nothing but another hollow slogan from a president acutely aware of the damage Fishrot has done and continues to do but remaining mum about it.
The IPC suggested drastic and meaningful interventions in housing, education and health.
She was quiet about Trump’s tariffs and the urgent need to upgrade rail infrastructure, while the administration will apparently accelerate strategic partnerships, streamline regulatory processes, and invest in critical infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Namibia’s hydrocarbon resources. This sounds scary if you consider how that industry’s operators simply buy the party or candidate in whatever country they want to extract at eye-watering levels of profit without pesky environmental and labour laws and employ their own militias to guard ‘their’ resources.
MAIDEN NAMIBIAN SONAs
Founding President Sam Nujoma gave his maiden Sona on 10 June 1991. Nujoma struck a hopeful tone, envisioning a prosperous and united Namibia built on equality, prioritising sustainable growth emphasising reconstruction, reconciliation, and progress.
His speech focused on political stability and national reconciliation, a key theme of Nujoma’s 15 years at the helm.
He also called for reconciliation among Namibians but did not put in place the architecture for meaningful self-introspection. He also stressed the need to avoid tribalism and regional bias, urging citizens to promote the reality of Namibia as one nation, racially and ethnically undivided.
Nujoma outlined ambitious economic goals, focusing on reducing poverty, unemployment, and inequality. He emphasised land reform, agricultural development, and infrastructure projects to stimulate growth and provide employment opportunities. The president also announced the upcoming land conference meant to achieve national consensus on the issue of land reform, representing the broadest cross-section of our society. This broad consensus would then form the basis of land reform policy and a programme of action.
Hifikepunye Pohamba gave his maiden Sona on 9 June 2005, emphasising the rule of law and the commitment to the protection of human rights, reinforcing Namibia’s democratic values and the value of peace with her neighbours.
A key highlight of Pohamba’s hopeful address was his focus on economic empowerment and poverty alleviation. President Pohamba also announced that he expected the Kudu gas-to-power project to begin construction in 2006. Pohamba further pledged to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) aiming to reduce unemployment and ensure that economic benefits reached marginalised communities.
Pohamba underscored the importance of improving social services, particularly in education and healthcare. The president addressed the HIV/AIDS crisis, noting the expansion of the National Aids Control Programme and the decline in the prevalence of HIV. The president stated that the government will continue implementing the land reform policy in line with the laws and provisions of the 2004 Swapo party manifesto.
Hage Geingob, on 21 April 2015, framed Namibia’s progress through the metaphor of building a Namibian house, emphasising the foundation laid by peace, stability, respect for the rule of law and good governance. Geingob struck a determined, optimistic tone and highlighted free and fair elections as well as a robust free press. Geingob underscored transparency as a feature of his administration, pledging to publicly disclose his assets and medical reports, urging parliamentarians and civil servants to follow suit.
President Geingob raised old-age pensions from N$600 to N$1 000 per month and renamed the labour ministry to prioritise job creation as well as poverty eradication.
Geingob urged national unity against tribalism, gender-based violence, and exclusion.
The address struck a determined, optimistic tone, balancing pride in Namibia’s post-independence achievements with a candid, conciliatory acknowledgement of ongoing challenges. Central themes included inclusive nation-building, economic equity, transparency, and social justice. Geingob’s rhetoric emphasised unity, shared responsibility, and a commitment to constitutional principles, positioning Namibia as a beacon of democracy and resilience in Africa.
After the death of Geingob on 4 February 2024, Nangolo Mbumba on 14 March centred his only SONA on honouring the legacy of Geingob. The sombre tribute to Geingob highlighted his contributions to governance, gender equality, and economic diversification.
