By: Kandjengo kaMkwaanyoka
If you live in the capital city, Windhoek, you will know that it only rains early in the morning when you need to go to work or school. It will stop around 9h00 and then start around 16h30 again when you are about to knock off.
These are the chronicles of Windhoek pedestrians; memes have even been created about this. During those critical hours, the salary boy/girl is panicking because supervisors require one to be at work by 8h00, regardless. In other words, you’ve got to swim if need be.
In those critical moments, Windhoek taxi drivers become the most difficult people to deal with because they will ignore you shouting “Wernihil” in the morning and actually laugh at you if you say “Havanna” at 17h00.
While for those who have an interview, they need to catch a cab an hour or two beforehand just to ensure they arrive on time. This is because a taxi from Greenwell will drop and fetch customers all the way between your departure point and your destination, and there is nothing you can do.
Not to mention getting intoxicated in the deep corners of Otjomuise at 22h00 while you live in Okuryangava; either sleep at your current location or call a friend to be fetched, for taxis drivers are most likely also having a good time somewhere else.
That was the era when numbered taxis dominated mobility in the urban settings in around the country.
The situation has, however, evolved. Those with commercial eyes have seen the gap, and opportunity to improve efficiency and to broaden the sector to tailor-made mobility services for individual preference.
That means getting a cab at any time, and for it to go straight to Havana without giving me a tour around Windhoek.
The e-hailing services provide convenience and efficiency, an important layer of sophistication and diversification to cater for the fast-paced working class.
Unfortunately, this layer was not captured in our scope of regulation/legislation, nor was it anticipated due to our population size.
Now we are here: a novel and progressive sector versus policymakers and regulators, debating and begging for existence in an outdated and uncoordinated world of public institutions and silos.
This is where it gets interesting: are we enablers or regulators, and what is the role of a regulator in economic building?
The current government’s economic aspirations are quite loud and clear – to create wealth, opportunities and platforms for Namibians to earn and get the best out of their resources.
However, the component of platforms is not well understood by many.
As an economic facilitator, you can either enable the growth of entrepreneurship to create job opportunities or enable/create platforms that can be used by individuals for income generation.
E-hailing is a platform within e-commerce or the digital space that enables those with certain mobility-enabling assets (vehicles) to render mobility services in urban settings as a source of income.
The introduction of this platform has created a regulatory vagueness and enhanced competition within the sector.
The traditionalists – those without content and the entitled – are now screaming their lungs out mentioning how they are no longer earning enough as taxi drivers or losing business altogether.
Those depending on the legal provisions to generate income have also woken up from their legal entitlement, screaming compliance with bylaws within their vicinity of control.
None of these self-interest driven voices looked at the welfare aspect of consumers or the users; they just considered their market share loss and opportunity to earn through fees.
These loud voices have awakened a scrutiny of our very archaic Transport Act of 1977 and its regulations, leading to measures, ultimatums and directives from the responsible Ministry.
It is in their prerogative, according to the archaic law, to regulate and set the conditions of operation within public transportation, namely transporting for earning within local authority jurisdictions.
However, the critical issue is, are we regulating to enable or to stifle and whom are we protecting or advancing through our laws and regulations?
We marvel compliance and stand firm on the legality and provisions of our archaic laws, but can we reflect on what we are preserving and what commercial value and progress we are retaining in non-responsive compliance provisions.
Furthermore, do we want to progress and build wealth? If so, will it be possible if we are punitive, harsh, and not responsive in our laws?
As a country, we consented to Meekulu NNN’s visions of “business as unusual” and building an inclusive economy.
Thus, the response from those with regulatory and policymaking authority need to align to unlock opportunities and create platforms for Namibians to earn.
Then, it would be okay to say e-hailing – from the consumer’s and income-generating perspective – is feasible and relevant for said economic progress.
It is up to policymakers and regulators to accommodate and enable these sectors instead of stifling them, especially when they are logically and economically relevant.
Namibia’s regulatory approaches to innovators needs to be updated, as people don’t innovate within limitations and regulatory framework, they solve market problems.
Lawmakers need to create a legal framework which not only enables, but reduces negative spillover or harm from such innovations.
If Namibia wishes to reach its economic aspirations, it has to unshackle its people – the innovators and disruptors – to think and create without limitation(s).
Then, collectively create a regulatory framework, standing on the environmental and societal values it intends on maintaining.
By this, we don’t mean charcoal producers and miners who are not giving workers protective clothing or security companies and retailers who are not paying decent wages or even those polluting our precious environment.
We mean the fintech, the e-hailing services, the biochemists and vendors chasing foot traffic in the CBD.
The thinking must be, how do we regulate them to progress and grow to create value for our people?
That is how we will reach the developed economy state.
Because thinkers and innovators cannot be tamed by old and unresponsive laws, they must be accommodated in line with our societal and environment provisions, not outdated laws.
Let us pave that path, hold such platforms of engagements for us to be in the same room with like-minded individuals and grow in value creation.
In economic building, we cannot exercise power or innovative ignorance; we ought to work together to expand consumer and producer welfare.
Economics is a subject that involves exercising power to enable two powerful forces (consumers and producers) to co-exist and maximise their value derived in each endeavour.
Let there be regulations for them to achieve value for the country while preserving its environmental value.
To the policymakers and regulators, you are not mini-gods, you are enablers of economic growth through various channels. Make it happen.
To the suppliers and producers of various goods and services, don’t be arrogant in your pursuit, Namibia has value to be pursued. You won’t be tamed, but alignment and compliance needs to be there.
As for the consumers, you are the prize; just ready your pockets and raise your voices when the price is higher than the value and the utility you derive.
Let us build Namibia.
