The fundamental question is: What to build after independence?
No African country has gotten it right so far.
The day will come when all those who contributed to political independence are no longer around to be accorded expensive state and official funerals while the majority swim in the pool of unemployment and poverty.
The time will come when the ministry of veterans affairs will have no relevance and no one to serve.
I am writing this to point out that we should not forget about the future.
The ancient Greek poet Agaton once said not even God can change the past.
Fellow Namibians, let us contest for the future, not the past. The hope and the future of this beautiful nation lie in our hands and in the hands of those yet to be born. There is no doubt in my mind that if young people in Namibia work together and bring ideas that would help them address economic and social challenges, this nation would be great.
French psychiatrist Franz Fanon once said each generation must discover its mission and fulfil it or betray it.
The young people of Namibia with talent and energy are the most active and vital forces in our society, and they must discover their full potential today – not tomorrow.
I mean we are the rebooting generation, and we have a crucial role to play in determining the future of our nation.
Fellow young people, let us be at the forefront of reshaping our nation. Let’s focus our eyes on the future. Namibia is an independent and a sovereign nation now. We are no longer fighting a war. The elders have done what they could, and we need to honour them for their contribution. There comes a time when the time is up. Many of them are out of ideas, out of touch and out of shape.
Just like waves push each other in the ocean, young people should replace old leaders.
Fellow young people, we were born free to be nurtured and properly educated. We were schooled to defend the national symbols of Namibia, and to defend the future, not the past.
Fellow young people, the current socio-economic climate in Namibia needs resuscitation.
The promise of independence has not been fully realised by all 14 political regions. Fellow young people, let us stand up, rise up and do what is right.
Let’s put our political differences aside for the sake of our future.
In conclusion, Saint Augustine once said we should pray as though everything depends on God and work as though everything depends on us.
Long live the youth of Namibia!
– Alfeus ‘Success’ Hamundja
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