E60 Spotlight Namibia A strategy for development grounded in political and economic stability, good health care, education and employment IntervIew Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia In 2011, Namibia celebrated 21 years as an independent nation. As a relatively young country, it is appropriate that its national priorities are geared towards ensuring a better future for its young people, especially through education and the provision of new job opportunities. In this exclusive interview with Global, President Hifikepunye Pohamba outlines his government’s principal values and ambitions Global: Namibia has consistently scored lished institutions of checks and balances, built development infrastructure in urban highly in African indices of governance. such as the Anti-Corruption Commission centres [and] industrial parks in rural areas Can you say how you define good gov- and the Ombudsman. to enhance commercialisation and industri- ernance and what are Namibia’s biggest The government has succeeded in in- alisation. Our civil society has grown both successes in this regard? creasing access to social services such as in visibility and influence. The printed me- President Pohamba: At independence, health, education, electricity, water and dia in Namibia are mostly privately owned, the Swapo [South West African People’s sanitation. We have adopted primary health operating in a free and competitive environ- Organisation] government inherited a so- care as a guiding policy to ensure health ment. cial service system that was ethnically and care for all. Equally, education receives the Besides all these, the process of decision- racially fragmented. We have made great highest percentage of our national budg- making and implementation is transparent, efforts to entrench peace and stability, and et allocation. We have made significant and this is good governance. worked hard to maintain political and eco- progress in making primary education for nomic stability as a prerequisite for socio- all a reality, with over 95 percent of our How does your government view the current economic development. We have estab- children attending school. We have also level of political participation by Namibian 52 l www.global-briefing.org first quarter 2012 global Global9_Spotlight_NamibiaRSzz.indd 52 22/12/2011 22:52 E60 Spotlight Namibia citizens? Do you think the system adequate- for long-term investment. ly protects the interests of both ethnic and Over the next three years, the govern- political minorities? ment will spend NAD9 billion on the ag- The active participation of Namibia citi- riculture, tourism, transport and housing zens is essential in safeguarding democracy sectors, with the specific purpose of creat- and achieving sustainable socio-economic ing new employment opportunities. Our ef- development. In Namibia, public partici- fort is therefore geared towards promoting pation is provided for by our constitution, economic growth and combating inequality and it entails not just rights to vote, but the and unemployment. formulation, adoption and implementation of public policy programmes and projects, How do you see Namibia’s political and free from discrimination based on race, eth- economic relationship with China evolv- nicity, tribe, religion and gender. ing in coming years? Are you happy with the growing role of Chinese citizens in the Do you expect to see a smooth and trans- economy and do you feel that the relation- parent transfer of power to your successor President Hifikepunye Pohamba ship is largely beneficial to Namibia over when you step down at the end of your To counter dependency on our natural re- the longer term? presidential term in 2014/2015? sources base, the government has increased China is one of the countries that supported Swapo has a proud history of holding free its public expenditure. A large part of this Namibia during the liberation struggle and and fair elections. Our electoral college is goes to the development budget, targeting after independence, as well as one of the well established. We have a strong intra-party priority sectors to reduce unemployment and first countries that established diplomatic democracy which provides for the election of add value to our raw materials. We are cog- relations with Namibia. Since then our two party leaders in a democratic way. This in- nisant of the fact that mining minerals and countries continue to enjoy excellent rela- cludes the choice of those who will be nomi- exporting them without local value-adding is tions in many fields [and] our trade has in- nated as candidates for presidential elections. a lopsided economic trend, and we are there- creased two-fold. We will continue to work We will continue to build on the successes we fore exploring factors relating to the devel- together under the framework of the Forum have recorded since the party brought free- opment of the primary industries, to act as of China-Africa Cooperation. We will con- dom and independence to our country. catalysts for secondary and tertiary industry tinue to enhance such cooperation, which is development. Local value-adding will not based on mutual benefit and respect. Namibia has a large youth population, only add to industrialisation but also to em- growing up in peace, despite the poverty ployment creation and skills development. Are you happy with the development of that many people endure. What is your cooperation with Namibia’s key neigh- advice to Namibia’s young people? In view of Namibia’s high levels of unemploy- bours: South Africa, Botswana and Angola? Work and study hard and continue to engage ment, does the government have plans for Do you expect to see closer cooperation in constructive activities, while staying away the creation of sustainable jobs? What skills in future through the good offices of the from the abuse of drugs and other anti-social are most relevant to the country’s future? Southern African Development Community behaviour. Education and training are cardi- The application of technical knowledge is (SADC) and other organisations? nal to our youth, as the future leaders of our important for the socio-economic develop- We have long-standing relations and con- country. I therefore encourage them to study ment of our country. This implies the estab- tinue to enjoy excellent cooperation cul- hard in science subjects – to become engi- lishment of institutions of higher learning turally, politically and economically. As neers, mathematicians, doctors, geologists, as a source of scientific and technical skills SADC member states, we are committed to biologists and scientists who are capable of to feed our primary, secondary and tertiary harmonising key issues such as the provi- implementing our government programmes. industries. sion of infrastructure, elimination of tariff This financial year, we have intro- and non-tariff barriers, competition policy, Thanks to its enormous subsoil wealth, duced the Targeted Intervention Pro- transport and trade, fighting corruption Namibia is heavily dependent economi- gramme for Employment and Economic and access to finance. We will continue cally on the mining industry. Do you expect Growth, aiming at stimulating growth in strengthening our mechanisms for monitor- to see greater local processing of these a number of targeted sectors, which in ing and evaluating the direction and pace of minerals in future? turn will create a conducive environment implementing our developmental goals. ● global first quarter 2012 www.global-briefing.org l 53 Global9_Spotlight_NamibiaRSzz.indd 53 22/12/2011 22:52 Shaping Economies for Better Living Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd (GPG) is a The Company’s prime focus is to explore, develop and rapid industrial development and foreign direct manage industrial ecosystems specifi cally designed investment management start-up company which to help improve and fast-track the reduction of poverty was incorporated and registered in Namibia and unemployment, address income inequalities, in October 2010. 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