Namibia Will Introduce Free University Education In 2026

 

Namibia will introduce free university education in 2026. This applies to all public universities and technical colleges. Registration and tuition fees are to be abolished. The challenge is how funding institutes of higher learning can be sustained. The funding for free university education will come from subsidies and the student financial assistance fund. This means those sources are going to require larger amounts of investments. The benefit of this is that Namibians will acquire skills for modern economy. A public that acquires more education will push the country higher up on the human development index. The motivation has an economic purpose. There is also concerns about what occurred in South Africa. Protests over universities fees occurred in 2017. The Namibian government might be fearful of  demonstrations in their borders. The Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah administration is likely trying to ensure political support. The youth are going to vote and this might determine the outcome of a future election. Students are normally the ones active in protests. Critics believe this is some vague promise and is not a new public policy direction. The new policy will help low income students and those who want to go back to school. What must be addressed is the middle income students. Their class makes them too wealthy to qualify, but not so much that they feel the strain of fees. If free university education is successful Namibia will see improvements in various sectors.    

Sam Nujoma 's Namibian Independence Speech

 

Sam Nujoma ( 1929-2025)  was the first president of  Namibia. SWAPO waged a long liberation war against Apartheid South Africa's occupation of the land. Nujoma mentions that multiple resolutions were passed by international bodies. The United Nations resolutions did not obtain Namibian independence. It was through armed freedom struggle against  the white minority ruled regimes. When Apartheid South Africa lost Namibia in 1990, it was apparent the regime was going to fall. Sam Nujoma declared a new era was emerging on the African continent. European colonial imperialism was a relic of the past. Yet, Namibia and South Africa were still fighting it. The liberation movements of the South African region were successful. The new era that Sam Nujoma referred to was the independent states free from foreign interference and colonization. Namibia obtained its independence after a long liberation war. . Sam Nujoma would serve as president of Namibia from  1990 to 2005. After leaving office he continued to campaign for SWAPO and was like an elder  statemen. 

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Elected President of Namibia

 

Namibia has elected its first female president. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. According to the electoral commission  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah got 57% of the vote. Accusations of electoral irregularities have been made by the political opposition. The Independent Patriots for Change are attempting to challenge the results in court. It is unlikely that the ICP will overturn the election results. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a veteran of the liberation struggle against Apartheid South Africa's occupation of Namibia. Active in SWAPO's  youth league, she dreamed of the day of Namibia being free from white minority rule. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has held a number of government posts related to foreign affairs and information. She has been a women's rights advocate and getting the Combating of Domestic Violence Act legislation passed. Her credentials and experience indicate a leader who is going to be capable. Yet, there still are pressing economic concerns. Namibia is classified as an upper  middle income country. This is based on data from the World Bank. The promises of economic transformation have been made, but never materialize. Growing youth unemployment is another concern.  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and SWAPO must address this, or else voter support will be reduced. Discussion of a run off election has surfaced. The Namibian Supreme Court could make the determination about the legitimacy of ICP claims. SWAPO cannot afford to rest on past deeds, when a younger population was not yet born to witness them. Maintaining political support requires change in  strategy.  

President Hage Geingob Challenges Norbert Lammert's Anti-Chinese Racism (2018)

 

President Hage Geingob (1941-2024) met with German politician Norbert Lammert in 2018. Lammert was the new chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The organization has been closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union. The organization is more of a consulting group and think tank. As their mission statement explains they want to promote freedom and liberty. What some observe is an attempt for the German conservative movement to impose their ideas on other nations. Norbert in the discussion claims that Germany is concerned about China's relations with Namibia. Sounding alarmed in a xenophobic manner he takes note of how their is a Chinese population in the country. Norbert Lammert is almost offended that it outnumbers the Germans in Namibia President Hage Geingob responded by saying Namibia is not under Chinese control and that it is " a European problem." President Hage Geingob also reiterates Namibia will not be lectured by a former colonizer. Germany refuses to pay compensation for the Herero genocide. Namibia fought a long war against occupation by Apartheid South Africa. Namibia would have remained under Germany's control if it had not lost World War I. China is the second largest economy in the world. It only makes sense that nations do business with it. President Hage Geingob also exposes that there is little equality when it comes to visas. Namibia is generous to Germans, but Germany is less welcoming of Namibians. Norbert Lammert revealed his anti-Chinese racism by assuming that China's motivations are for imperial intent. President Hage Geingob countered his prejudiced arguments on the basis of Namibia's national sovereignty.  

Namibia's Hydrogen Power Plant

 

Africa is about to open the first hydrogen power plant on the continent. The plant is expected to start producing electricity in 2024. This allows Namibia not to be too reliant on South Africa for 40% of its power. Namibia wants to expand its sector in solar and wind energy. The nation has an advantage related to its environment. The economic potential is vast, but might not materialize rapidly. The technology is still developing in the field of renewable energy. How hydrogen plants work is through a network of solar panels. Their role is to power electrolyzers to produce hydrogen to be stored. This allows a country to move away from carbon based methods. Large amounts of carbon emissions contribute to rising global temperatures. Hydrogen plants are an engineering solution to a dire environmental problem. Concerns about EU involvement and some European companies have been made. These roles in hydrogen power plants might be a means to stir African countries away from Russian energy. The best method for Namibia would be to have access to as many markets as possible. Namibia  has diamonds, uranium,  gold, copper, zinc, and suspected  oil reserves. Namibia has reached the status of upper middle income country. However, poverty remains a persistent economic concern. The construction of hydrogen plants, exporting goods to the world market, and job training are policies that ensure Namibia's survival. Hydrogen power plants also protect Namibia's environment and diverse wildlife.