Democracy and Governance in Namibia
The Development Challenge: Namibia achieved a historic democratic milestone in November 2004 with national elections that brought the first change in presidential leadership since the country's independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. The elections--which also resulted in significant turnover in Parliament and Regional Councils--reaffirmed Namibia's support for democratic processes. When the new administration takes office in March 2005, it will assume leadership of a country that consistently ranks high on international indices of economic competitiveness, democratic freedom, freedom of the press, and good governance, and is regarded as one of the developing world's leaders in public sector investments in education and health.
The new government faces daunting development challenges that could prevent Namibia from reaching its full potential. The impact of HIV/AIDS on Namibia is catastrophic. HIV prevalence among pregnant women was estimated at 19.8% in 2004. More than 200,000 Namibians aged 15-49, 11% of the workforce, are estimated to be living with HIV, and average life expectancy has dropped from 61 years in 1991 to 47 in 2004.
Namibia's economic growth over the past five years has not been sufficient to increase per capita income and reduce poverty. Namibia's relatively high per capita GDP of $1,730 masks an extreme income disparity that, according to the 2004 UNDP Human Development Report, is the highest in the world. An estimated 55% of national income accrues to only 10% of the population, and 35% of the population live on less than $1 per day. Namibia's population growth outpaces job creation: only 7,000 of the 20,000 annual high school graduates find jobs, and 60% of the workforce is unemployed or underemployed.
Although Namibia devotes over 20% of annual government expenditures to education, over 90% of education funding is used for personnel costs, leaving little for school buildings, materials, and equipment. Namibia has a shortage and an inequitable distribution of qualified teachers--particularly teachers with needed mathematics, science, and English skills. According to a recent regional education report, only a third of Namibian sixth grade students demonstrated the required literacy and numeracy competencies.
The Government of Namibia (GON) faces significant challenges in implementing its land redistribution and resettlement policy. Because the GON has been criticized for not acquiring sufficient land from white farmers through its policy of "willing seller, willing buyer," it is implementing legislation to acquire land by expropriation. The GON has reassured farmers that fair compensation will be paid for land acquired in this manner and, to date, no land has been expropriated. The GON also needs to build on its success in linking sustainable natural resource management with rural development. Further attention is needed to equitably distribute the benefits generated from tourism, wildlife utilization, and other natural resources so that the increased income from these activities can reach the poorest and most marginalized citizens.
Although Namibians enjoy a wide range of democratic rights, including freedom of the press, multi-party elections, and a relatively independent judiciary, the concept of checks and balances on public institutions is not well developed, and opportunities for critical and constructive interaction with elected leaders are not always well used. Consistent commitment to democratic values will be especially important over the next few years, as a new set of leaders moves into positions of political and economic power.
The United States has a significant national interest in helping Namibians fight HIV/AIDS, promote economic development, and strengthen democratic consolidation so that Namibia can continue to contribute to peace, security, and stability on the African continent.
(Excerpted from the 2006 Congressional Budget Justification for Namibia)
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