Reads naively. No doubt on purpose. A half-century ago I might have sympathised with the Namibians in an unintentionally condescending way. No longer. UK corruption is so brazen now one can only empathise, sincerely and apprehensively
Ah yes indeed. Bloated out of touch state, should be much richer but isn’t, should be making more of its natural resources but isn’t, awful health care provision, peeing money up the wall on vanity projects, high levels of debt, government mismanagement, government misallocation of resources…Namibia or UK?
Namibia very similar to Australia, both sit on a wealth of natural resources. Their motto; "Why work hard like they do in Singapore and Hong Kong when you don't need to"
Back in the 1980's I had the opportunity to work in that very same Katatura hospital which at the time was new while the country was administered by South Africa as a mandated territory. The facility was excellent. Sadly the government that took over was deeply rooted in Marxist ideology with the expected success one has become used to.
Having said that, Namibia is a great tourist destination with lovely people
Whenever I have travelled to Africa and asked other travellers where the best place they've visited was, the invariable answer was Namibia. Thanks for the update, look forward to to the full country report.
Loved this piece. Your thoughts capture the core problem not just with Namibia but Africa itself. Replace the word Namibia with any other African country, and your piece would still ring true. The continent is cursed with the paradox of plenty. Namibia is blessed with abundant natural resources but not the technology and the technical know-how to take advantage of them. And that's because Namibia, like other African countries, places no priority on education in general, and in science and technological education in particular. The government would rather look to western countries to extract and develop the resources leading to an excessive dependency on foreign powers. Not to mention, the environmental degradation due to resource mining and the abandonment of the local communities by the government leaving them with no way to seek redress. I might as well be talking about my own country Nigeria where oil has created more poverty than wealth.
It is curious to me that few seem to realize how morality a la the Biblical scriptures have had an impact on the cultures of prosperous countries, and who seem to care for and about their citizens. Those that don’t have that moral culture, or seem not to care for their citizenry, seem to be authoritarian and only good to the few in power.
I don't want to totally belittle the enormous efforts of SWAPO but in the end it was the end of apartheid that gained Namibia's independence. The first president - one of the original cofounders of SWAPO served 3 terms - after changing the constitution limit of 2!
I have been fortunate to visit Namibia a few times. Some 30 years ago there was still enormous enthusiasm in the people we met post separation from apartheid South Africa - it looked and felt like a young country with enormous opportunities waiting to be developed. Now it is a kleptocracy run by SWAPO.
On my last visit I was taken to the National Museum. The sole story is to confirm the glorious success of SWAPO in obtaining independence and running a successful country. Cynical almost beyond belief. My interpretation of what happened post apartheid was that the UN didn't really know what to do with Namibia. I think they understood SWAPO was run by Cubans funded by Russia and was corrupt, but there was no other route out of South African hands.
When I challenged our guide at the end of our visit to the museum it was clear he dare not even hint at any agreement with my view.
Aside from the corrupt Government and poverty of much of the population (despite which most people seemed to live relatively happy and safe lives) it remains a stunning and mostly empty country. The deserts are beautiful from the red sands and dunes of Sossusvlei to the moonscape desert on the Skeleton coast and emptiness of Fish River canyon - amazing scenery.
Even Etosha - game park bigger than Wales - a must do visit, despite the dust pollution of too many vehicles.
I will go back!
Finally yes the UK has corruption but thankfully nowhere near as endemic relative to many other countries!
Reads naively. No doubt on purpose. A half-century ago I might have sympathised with the Namibians in an unintentionally condescending way. No longer. UK corruption is so brazen now one can only empathise, sincerely and apprehensively
Well, I know, and I was conscious of that as I was writing the article how many parallels to the UK?
Ah yes indeed. Bloated out of touch state, should be much richer but isn’t, should be making more of its natural resources but isn’t, awful health care provision, peeing money up the wall on vanity projects, high levels of debt, government mismanagement, government misallocation of resources…Namibia or UK?
Namibia very similar to Australia, both sit on a wealth of natural resources. Their motto; "Why work hard like they do in Singapore and Hong Kong when you don't need to"
Back in the 1980's I had the opportunity to work in that very same Katatura hospital which at the time was new while the country was administered by South Africa as a mandated territory. The facility was excellent. Sadly the government that took over was deeply rooted in Marxist ideology with the expected success one has become used to.
Having said that, Namibia is a great tourist destination with lovely people
Yes ….
It is always the same! The ruling elite spout socialist claptrap jargon to fool the socialists in the West to give them yet more hand outs.
Nigeria is an example. Drowning in oil but half the youth are unemployed and the North a no go hell hole.
Yet the U.K. still hands out aid that we can ill afford. We are the fools. Stupid beyond comprehension!!
Thank you. Very sad !
Sad to say but.....it's Africa.
Whenever I have travelled to Africa and asked other travellers where the best place they've visited was, the invariable answer was Namibia. Thanks for the update, look forward to to the full country report.
I hear the same thing too
Loved this piece. Your thoughts capture the core problem not just with Namibia but Africa itself. Replace the word Namibia with any other African country, and your piece would still ring true. The continent is cursed with the paradox of plenty. Namibia is blessed with abundant natural resources but not the technology and the technical know-how to take advantage of them. And that's because Namibia, like other African countries, places no priority on education in general, and in science and technological education in particular. The government would rather look to western countries to extract and develop the resources leading to an excessive dependency on foreign powers. Not to mention, the environmental degradation due to resource mining and the abandonment of the local communities by the government leaving them with no way to seek redress. I might as well be talking about my own country Nigeria where oil has created more poverty than wealth.
Thank you very much sir. Your last line about oil, creating poverty is a very sad one to read.
It is curious to me that few seem to realize how morality a la the Biblical scriptures have had an impact on the cultures of prosperous countries, and who seem to care for and about their citizens. Those that don’t have that moral culture, or seem not to care for their citizenry, seem to be authoritarian and only good to the few in power.
Very true
I don't want to totally belittle the enormous efforts of SWAPO but in the end it was the end of apartheid that gained Namibia's independence. The first president - one of the original cofounders of SWAPO served 3 terms - after changing the constitution limit of 2!
I have been fortunate to visit Namibia a few times. Some 30 years ago there was still enormous enthusiasm in the people we met post separation from apartheid South Africa - it looked and felt like a young country with enormous opportunities waiting to be developed. Now it is a kleptocracy run by SWAPO.
On my last visit I was taken to the National Museum. The sole story is to confirm the glorious success of SWAPO in obtaining independence and running a successful country. Cynical almost beyond belief. My interpretation of what happened post apartheid was that the UN didn't really know what to do with Namibia. I think they understood SWAPO was run by Cubans funded by Russia and was corrupt, but there was no other route out of South African hands.
When I challenged our guide at the end of our visit to the museum it was clear he dare not even hint at any agreement with my view.
Aside from the corrupt Government and poverty of much of the population (despite which most people seemed to live relatively happy and safe lives) it remains a stunning and mostly empty country. The deserts are beautiful from the red sands and dunes of Sossusvlei to the moonscape desert on the Skeleton coast and emptiness of Fish River canyon - amazing scenery.
Even Etosha - game park bigger than Wales - a must do visit, despite the dust pollution of too many vehicles.
I will go back!
Finally yes the UK has corruption but thankfully nowhere near as endemic relative to many other countries!
Thanks very much a very thoughtful Post And insightful