Africa-Press – Namibia. The 13th Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series recently hosted in Gobabis, Omaheke Region will most certainly go down in the history books as one that provided a direction and clarity on government and business’ stance on how Namibia will benefit from the AfCFTA, and the policy certainty needed for it to materialise.
The theme of the lecture series was `Africa Beyond Aid: Youth Defining the Future: Post- Covid-19 Economy and the AfCFTA`. This exceptionally youth-centric theme set the precedence that youth ought to be lining themselves up for the post-Covid-19 economy, and how AfCFTA is one of those inclusive mechanisms that will propel the youth of Africa.
This lecture series was of particular importance because it symbolises the nature and kind of conversations that the late Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab would want us to have as youth and a young democracy still firming its feet in this global village.
In her address to the audience who attended the series, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of international relations, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah gave a clear outlook that the AfCFTA promises a holistic circle of greater market-driven opportunities that will in turn trigger more trade and investment. Nandi-Ndaitwah said it will allow greater value- addition and productivity growth – leading to more, sustained and better jobs with social inclusion, and thus further enlarged markets. She further gave marching orders for us youth to position ourselves and identify how we can make the AfCFTA work for us, and that we have all the support of Government in enabling so.
Manufacturing industrialist and panellist Hanns-Louis Lamprecht spoke at length about the full benefits of the AfCFTA to accrue to African countries and citizens, numerous additional policy enablers – measures, reforms and investments – are also key; especially in infrastructure, transport corridors and logistics, as well as to improve the business climate in African countries. This important takeaway speaks volumes of the plentiful opportunities for consistent policy change that will not remain static, but will allow government to move with the issues of the day.
Deputy minister of youth Emma Kantema-Gaomas gave a clear and uncompromised view that despite high-level political momentum around the AfCFTA, its overarching success depends on African states not only ratifying, but fully implementing and complying with each component of the AfCFTA, while also investing in the necessary enablers. As such, the political economy dynamics; youth capacity-building in manufacturing around the AfCFTA; and pushing for trade between and within countries and sectors are key towards fully achieving and understanding how and where most impacts will be felt, and therefore where and what kind of external support is necessary and useful.
Fellow panellist and O Space board director Brenda Tjijombo also spoke at great length about the work of the O Space and its agenda to facilitate innovation to Omaheke-based entrepreneurs. She spoke of how changing one’s business model and making the necessary changes in an existing environment helps to facilitate innovatively.
When asked about the challenges brought forth by Covid-19 and how we as Namibians are positioning ourselves to reap the rewards of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), panellists deputy minister of ICT Emma Theofelus and executive chairperson of the National Youth Council Sharonice Busch shared sentiments that Namibia is bolstering up its legislative capacity to ensure that 4IR finds a Namibian environment that has all the necessary legislation, skills and knowledge to make it work and revolutionise service delivery as we know it.
Furthermore, governor of the Omaheke region Pijoo Nganate elaborated on the readiness of the Omaheke region to reap rewards of the AfCFTA. He spoke extensively on the strategic location of the Omaheke region as a gateway for SADC and the region’s political will and endeavours in facilitating a conducive environment.
We were then graced with a dynamic closing remark by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Jennelly Matundu, where she reminded us of our duty to educate one another of policies such as the AfCFTA so that development remains rooted.
In conclusion, and having moderated the series, my key takeaway is that the AfCFTA, its spirit of a one Africa and its great prospects of inclusivity of the north and south embodies the fight that the late Theo-Ben Gurirab lived and fought for; an Africa where one does not dominate the other. An Africa that is accessible to all who live in it, and an Africa that shares her riches amongst her people. Meaningful, open and honest dialogue still remains one of the most important forms of engagement that bears tangible results.
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