By: Kandjengo kaMkwaanyoka
The economic transformation and restructuring of the Namibian and African economies don’t hinge on foreign capital and mercies from the developed nations.
Rather, it is the mindset and the audacity of those with privileges to make economic and resource allocation decisions, i.e. policymakers and economic facilitators.
The audacity to filter out noise that has little interest in redistributing wealth, positioning every Namibian child to make it, and putting Namibians first in every economic decision. A mindset that no foreign institution, capital, or investor will have the best interest of Namibia, no matter the size of the investment, aid, or how beautiful their pitch. Thus, national and continental interest should always be guarded.
This means as a country and continent, we have to be diligent and cautious about who we send to represent our interests in negotiations, deal-making, or ambassadorship.
It is becoming quite clear that those with capital and technological power are becoming more bullish in their negotiating and how they package their deals. The competition for resources has heightened, and those with such abundance face all kinds of threats, coercion, and destabilisation.
As a country and continent, we have to be more strategic and careful about whom we send to high-stakes negotiations, since we often find it difficult to refuse to offers placed on the table.
PRESIDENTIAL TAKOEVER OF MINES AND ENERGY
As the President, NNN stated we shouldn’t negotiate with a hunger mindset, sharing her observations about how Namibia had been represented on various platforms involving decision-making.
An interesting move to note is that of the President’s decision to place the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy under her oversight. To a certain extent, this move signifies something we may be missing.
Is there perhaps a loss of trust in the Ministry’s top management to serve in the country’s best interests or are there possible internal governance issues we may be unaware of? Why does she want oversight of the Ministry? This particular Ministry is the gateway to some of the biggest sectors (mining, oil, green hydrogen, electricity, etc.) in the country, so questions are bound to arise.
If there is even the slightest probability that it is in fact loss of trust which brought about this decision, then I strongly suggest we instate capable top management in such a Ministry, rather than setting the wrong precedent by placing it under the presidency.
At this juncture, we need those with economic decision-making and resource allocation power and privileges to be bold enough to say yes or no when it suits the country. Also, to have the ability to negotiate better deals and create value for the country beyond employment.
Economic transformation requires economic audacity and those who believe in the Namibian dream.
We need to ensure those are the people who sit at the table, and more importantly, what is their mindset and approach to economic building? We cannot have leaders who believe we are incapable of moving forward without the intervention of external players.
The resources are ours, and we need to change our mindset, our sales pitch, and develop a better understanding of our bargaining power.
We also need to remind ourselves that access to capital will remain there, as there will be parties seeing value in paying our asking price instead of trying to give us the short end of the stick. At the same time, it is important we work tirelessly on our capability to do things by and for ourselves as a nation.
The global arena has become a jungle, and only the smart, organised, and focused can manoeuvre it.
