Post-colonial Namibia is a largely stable and peaceful country with a progressive constitution. However, democracy in Namibia has been weakened by poor delivery, ineffective civil society, nepotism and corruption. Although economic activity has diversified since independence, inequality has increased and rampant HIV/AIDS is undermining efforts to lift the burden of poverty. The agenda for the new government of President Hifikepunye Pohamba is therefore formidable, not least because of his stated determination to eliminate corruption from government and to press ahead with a sensitive land reform program.
Failure to act decisively at an earlier stage in the HIV/AIDS crisis cannot be attributed to unstable government or internal conflict within Namibia. Democratic, multi-party elections have been held every five years since 1990, each time having been won convincingly by the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO), the organization that took the lead in the long bush war for independence from South Africa.
The SWAPO party leader, then and now, is the grandfatherly figure of Sam Nujoma who enjoys widespread devotion for his three terms in the presidential office before standing down at the election held in November 2004. However, the lack of a probing political opposition has weakened the country’s democratic credentials with concerns about corruption and lack of transparency in government appointments. The lack of a strong civil society adds to the sense of resignation over the quality of governance. The new President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, has declared fresh resolve, not only to act against corruption but also to drive forward a peaceful land reform program. The question within Namibia is whether President Pohamba will be able to shake off the influence of his predecessor who remains head of the SWAPO party. The first few months of Pohamba’s presidency have provided some encouraging signs that he is prepared to back up his promises with action
Namibia’s constitution enshrines fundamental human rights such as the right to a fair trial, free speech and the right to property. Whether these values can be said to have permeated the country is open to question; for example, there has been no move to establish a truth commission to explore the sufferings of the period of resistance against the South African military. A culture of openness and reconciliation is therefore unproven.
A more recent human rights concern has been the issue of the Caprivi detainees. In August 1999, a secessionist movement aiming for greater political autonomy for the Caprivi Strip culminated in armed attacks on several government buildings. Namibian forces launched a crackdown, during which more than 300 people were arrested. Many detainees were tortured, and at least 10 have died in captivity, some under suspicious circumstances. The marathon trial of over 120 Caprivians accused of high treason began in November 2003 and is still in process whilst a second trial of separatists has recently opened.
Violence against women and children is a serious social problem in Namibia, a society rooted in patriarchal power and gender inequality. A recent report based on workshops held around the country indicated that gender violence seems to be increasing, exacerbated by a lack of organized support for women. This violence and the prevalence of coercive sexual relationships may be important factors in accelerating the spread of HIV/AIDS. A new national law to protect women and children against domestic violence has been passed but it is too early to assess its impact.
A prevalence rate of over 21 per cent places Namibia amongst the six countries in the world most affected by HIV/AIDS. The majority of Namibia’s 82,000 orphans lost at least one of their parents to AIDS. It has been estimated that by 2021 over 10 per cent of the population will be orphans and vulnerable children. This national crisis has mobilized non-governmental and community-based organizations to get involved in prevention, education and home-based care, but stigmatization and ignorance still abound. However, former Health Minister Libertina Amathila (now Deputy Prime Minister) won widespread respect in 2003 when she announced that the government would be supplying anti-retroviral drugs.
Namibia has been commended by the UN special AIDS envoy to Africa, Stephen Lewis, for having appropriate policies in place to deal with HIV/AIDS. However, many problems, such as the shortage of 1500 nurses, interfere with care and treatment. Life expectancy has fallen sharply and the economy faces a potential demographic crisis through relative shortage of young adults.
Namibia has been referred to as a sandwich country, between two deserts: the Namib to the west and the Kalahari in the east. Ensuring a sustainable water supply, and preventing further desertification remain two of the government’s key environmental challenges, as well as an African benchmark for the impact of climate change.
With its magnificent and varied scenery, and extensive network of both government- and privately-operated game reserves, Namibia is becoming recognized as a great adventure and eco-tourism destination. The world’s last remaining free-roaming black rhinoceros inhabit wild Damaraland, and the NGO Save the Rhino Trust has successfully involved residents of communal lands, including former poachers, in the project, employing them as trackers and guides.
A potentially major setback for this conservation program was the decision by the 2004 CITES Convention to allow Namibia to grant trophy hunting concessions in its national parks, including for the first time the rare black rhino. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism argues that trophy hunting will bring in revenue, and serve as a way of culling older animals. Conservationists by contrast see trophy hunting as undermining prospects of eco-tourism
One of the more controversial environmental issues is the so-called “red line”, a veterinary control fence separating the tribal lands of the north and the mainly white-owned cattle and game ranches in the centre and south of the country. This fence in many ways symbolizes the divisions in Namibian society: between developed and developing world, rich and poor, and black and white.
Freedom of expression is enshrined in Namibia’s constitution, and the country has a highly creditable ranking within Africa with regard to press freedom. There are occasional lapses, however, especially in relation to the uneasy relationship that exists between the government and the English language daily newspaper, The Namibian, known for its independent, critical stance.
The Namibian government is taking the new technology revolution seriously and has released an ICT Policy for the education sector which aims to build ICT-enabled teaching and learning programs. It seeks to address the challenge of developing human capacity in computing through connecting schools. According to an estimate, approximately 78,000 computers will be required.
