Prof. Makala Lilemba

Namibia has once again embarked on another long journey spanning 12 full months starting from this month. From the look of things, the 2021 journey may not be as smooth as others in the past. Enormous challenges lay ahead, of which Covid-19 appears to be the most terrifying one by all degrees. Nevertheless, Namibia is not alone in this fight as the whole global village is equally struggling to contain the virus. Despite the efforts and achievements by government, it is important the Namibian leadership and its rank and file consider revisiting their resolutions and achieve them during the new normal.

Battling the virus

Our prayers go to those at the frontline battling the virus such as nurses, social workers and other stakeholders. May the souls of those who succumbed to the virus rest in eternal peace. The government should do more in conjunction with other parties to battle the virus. Funding in this regard should be put to good use.

Educational front
This is the key and backbone to any development. The Namibian government should continue to strengthen this sector by allocating more money, as it has been the culture since the dawn of independence. More funding should be allocated to tertiary institutions to enable them to engage in research, which might culminate into the manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccine.

Covid-19 vaccine

African governments and universities should commit themselves to manufacture a home-brewed vaccine for this virus instead of depending on the Western and China. 
A video clip is in circulation on social media where it is alleged to eliminate about three billion people of, which the first victims should be Africans because they are not part of the world economy and have been oppressed since time immemorial. This might be regarded as fake news, but the message is clear. 
So was P.W. Botha’s speech in 1985 in which he devised means of eliminating blacks by slow poisoning. To minimize all these fears, Namibia should embark upon a scientific programme to manufacture a vaccine for Covid-19.

Charity begins at home

Many Namibians especially the youth are not happy with the slow pace of employment provision. Or rather, the mechanisms of job creation are grinding very slow. Yes, we live in a global village, but government should seriously adopt a policy of Namibians first in terms of employment. This is not being xenophobic but simply addressing the high unemployment rate in the country.
Neighbourly but firm

Another resolution the Namibian nation should adopt is that while we are neighbouring other countries, our counterparts should know that Namibian lives matter. 
Although Namibian State House does not work on ultimatums, Botswana should be told in strongest terms that Namibians are losing patience and can no longer stand akimbo when their fellow nationals are being killed by BDF on the pretext of a barbaric policy of “shoot to kill.” 
All nationals residing in Namibia should know that Namibia is not for exploitation but as a host country should be appreciated and the laws respected. Of course, Namibians sojourned in foreign countries hence appreciate the hospitality given to them during the war of liberation. Other nations like Zambia and Angola suffered South African bombings and destruction of infrastructure because of the Namibian presence there.

Resolving the long dragging court cases

This aspect has blackened the clean slate of Namibia at independence. The dragging of cases, which seems not to see any end is really worrying. Whatever the delay, it is unacceptable that cases drag for years without being finalised. 
The Caprivi secessionist treason trial lasted two decades, and most of the suspects were found not guilty, plunging the country into debt to pay the unlawful custody to the accused. 

The Fishrot case has been in court for a year now, and it seems as if, it will also take time to have it finalised. 
Zimbabwean and Zambian lawyers made millions from the Caprivi secessionist treason case in our eyes. It was like a circus in which lawyers assigned to the case would simply invite their friends to come and partake in the loot.

Merging the disjointed opposition political parties

With a population of less than three million, it is incredible that Namibia should have 19 political parties. Even in the biggest democracies, the parties are limited to either two or three.

The political kaleidoscope in this country should reconsider merging political parties as a good sign of nationalism. 
Namibians should also resolve to live peacefully and discard politics of hate and retaliation as all belong to one big Namibia national family. 
Maintaining that all Namibians are equal before the law in all aspects, will lead the nation to stability fruition, development and peaceful coexistence.