By: Kandjengo kaMkwaanyoka
The word “inclusivity” is often used by many who want to appear caring, but few offer practical solutions on how to achieve it.
We can shout and give passionate speeches, but building an inclusive economy requires more than just words.
Namibia is a land of contradictions. While we talk about inclusivity, we often block those who want to enter and grow in various sectors of the economy.
Even worse, many struggle to get access to the capital they need to start or expand their businesses.
True inclusivity at its core can only happen if we allow capital to flow freely to people with good ideas, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
But it’s not just about money – it’s about skills too.
You can’t empower people economically if they don’t have the right skills. Empowerment starts with training and giving people the tools to succeed.
If someone lacks valuable skills, they can’t participate meaningfully in the economy.
We can wish for inclusivity, but without proper skills and training, people will be left out.
The hard truth is that without something valuable to offer, individuals can’t compete or contribute to the economy- is about exchanging.
Empowerment and inclusivity don’t mean giving opportunities to people who aren’t prepared or capable. That only wastes resources.
Instead, we need to focus on training and equipping people with the skills they need to succeed in the marketplace.
If we truly want to build an inclusive economy, we have to start by making the disadvantaged competitive by giving them useful, marketable skills.
Resources are limited, so it’s important to use them wisely.
To include the excluded, we must first give them the capacity to contribute and then connect them to the capital they need.
Inclusivity is possible and should be central to our efforts to rebuild and restructure the economy.
But it can only be achieved if we, as a nation, make a deliberate effort to empower those who have been left out.
This means providing ongoing training and ensuring that people have the skills needed to compete.
Participation in the economy is not a birthright. It’s about what you can offer. To be an employee, you need skills.
To be an entrepreneur, you need to know how to manage resources and, most importantly, access capital.
If you one has no skills, capital or any marketable ability then they are of no use in the economy,they are just a human being.
Understanding this is key to achieving better economic outcomes for everyone and what can be done to enable participation.
Finally, inclusivity should be part of every law, policy, and institution.
It shouldn’t just be something leaders talk about in speeches to get applause – it requires real action and a supportive environment.
Let’s focus on training, reskilling, and empowering those who are economically disadvantaged so they can take part in the economy.gerastus16@gmail.com
