Happy Birthday, Namibia  – Opinion

Imagine this: You’re at an airport in a foreign country 20 years from now. You strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller and they ask: “Namibia… what’s your country known for?

They say comparison is the thief of joy. But, there are many things we can be proud of, not least that for 34 years Namibians have shown the world that democracy can work.

In other countries, war, coups and political unrest have become a norm. Not here. Last month’s smooth transition of power after the death of president Hage Geingob is testament that we are a shining light.

However,  as we celebrate Namibia’s 34th birthday, let’s take stock, work on our blindspots, set the bar high and address potential threats to our stability.

Back to the airport conversation. The ideal answer you’d love to give a fellow traveller should be something like: “Namibia is a beautiful country that has tackled many challenges. We’ve made significant progress in areas like education, health, unemployment, affordable housing and crime and in protecting our most vulnerable people.”

The key to unlocking Namibia’s potential lies in fostering a shared narrative of what it means to be Namibian.  

Happy 34th birthday, Namibia. Forward ever.