Dave Smuts remembers The Namibian’s early days after 40 years

Dave Smuts at The Namibian’s 40th anniversary, Windhoek, 29 August 2025

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Good morning and greetings on this very auspicious occasion of the 40th anniversary of The Namibian.

It is truly a big deal. Looking back to the beginning 40 years ago, there were tense and tricky times in a very hostile environment. 

Looking back at the first few issues – each felt like a massive achievement. And I was just on the sidelines, checking copy before it went to print. The first anniversary I vividly remember was when The Namibian was three months old and I shared my excitement with Gwen that we had achieved that milestone. It seemed like a huge deal at the time. But this is the real deal – 40 years on.

In celebrating this milestone, it is important to reflect on those early days and years. Not for nostalgia’s sake, and I appreciate that many of you here today were not even born then, but to remember and recommit ourselves to those founding values of press and media freedom and setting up an independent voice to tell the truth and hold power to account.

It is easy to overlook those fundamental values in a country like ours with a constitutionally entrenched right to press and media freedom. But this freedom is sadly not universally enjoyed. This was brought home to me with devastating force last week in Gaza with yet more targeted killings of journalists (amid other war crimes being perpetrated there). I was reminded of our connection to that because a spokesperson of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists eloquently expressed outrage at the latest such killings and called for justice. 

That same committee had liaised with me about their protests and indignation at Gwen’s arrest and detention, and called for her release. May their work continue and go from strength to strength.

In remembering where we came from and the values The Namibian has consistently stood for and still stands for, we have truly come a long way. From those early days of not just a bumpy road but a very hazardous one full of ominous dangers lurking, to somewhat different challenges in our newly won freedom where a lack of appreciation for free and independent media was unfortunately at times lacking, leading to a ban on government advertising in The Namibian. 

And then to the challenges of more recent years where social media has placed difficult demands on print media. These have over the years been navigated with care, skill and principle by Gwen during those crucial years, and the leadership under Tangeni which has followed her fine example.

I would like to pay tribute to Gwen and all those who started the paper with us, noting that sadly we do not have any others present here today from that first issue, except the two of us. I also pay tribute to all those who have been part of that journey over the years, many of you here who loyally served The Namibian for many years, and Tangeni and all the current staff who bring out the newspaper and continue upholding the values upon which this newspaper was founded 40 years ago. 

You have all played a vital role. Thank you.

It has been a long and difficult journey and you will indulge me in quoting my favourite proverb: kokule ihaku fikwa ongula, meaning literally that if you are to travel far, you cannot expect to arrive in the morning.

My very warm thanks and congratulations to you all. 

It has truly been one of the great privileges of my life to have helped start and afterwards be associated with this extremely worthwhile institution – a national treasure in our country. 

Long may it continue.

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