Africa-Press – Namibia. THE MILLENNIUM Development Goals (MDGs) called for urgent and radical action. Some may say they touched on a sought-after revolution in socio-economic affairs, regionally and also here in Namibia.
People often perceive the term “revolutionary” as an attempt to impose greater control over an irregular regime, people or communities. However, another view can be taken – to see it as wide-reaching change in a social condition or a fundamental transformation. At stake is our immediate environment and how our infrastructure is set up. Attitudes relate to a change in our feelings toward issues related to our environment, society and how our economy plays a role at an individual level or collectively. It may even demand collective action.
The socioeconomic environment and people within also include (policy) decisions and operations which should underpin and highlight our country’s ability to use natural resources in alignment with achieving environmental, social and economic goals simultaneously without depleting the resources we rely on.
People care about the look, feel, quality and livability of their communities which is why it’s important to foster and support measures that will generate the tools for sustainable development. At core, sustainable development focuses on economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection while maintaining environment friendly objectives reflected by the state together with local councils and citizens within their respective communities.
PROGRESSIVE APPROACHES One exemplary approach towards sustainable development is the City of Windhoek’s initiative to implement bicycle lanes. In addition to embracing an inexpensive mode of transport, promoting the use of bicycle lanes is a conscious attempt to protect the environment from pollution by minimising carbon emissions and other activities that can lead to environmental degradation.
The City of Windhoek reflects a history of engaging in far-sighted primary initiatives for sustainable development: Windhoek was the first municipality in Namibia to recycle and produce quality drinking water. The Goreangab water treatment plant is capable of converting wastewater into drinking water by completely removing all pollutants and contaminants from the wastewater of more than 350 000 Windhoek residents. In this respect, we are on a par with international initiatives.
This water sensitive approach raises the global standard for innovative water preservation and management where cities like Windhoek appear to support the global agenda by ensuring minimal water waste within the community. Growing debates in civil society around oil, gas and uranium exploration areother example of citizens reflecting on and acting with regard to our environment.
It is important for our society to adopt a ‘forward-thinking’ approach as it holds the potential for Namibia’s trajectory towards an innovative and sustainable future. Embodying cohesive foresight to promote a culture of social, economic and environmental sustainability can ignite progressive developments in urban design throughout strategic parts of the city, including underserved communities, as well as in other developing towns across the country.
It would be useful to consider the challenges and limitations associated with sustainable development that communities strive to overcome and to use these as an entry point to impel potential skills and abilities that can counter social instability, poor implementation, as well as the lack of political will to efficiently transform development programmes into long-term sustainable practices. SOCIAL REVOLUTION
Individuals constitute communities. The key to a progressive community is social welfare. It is important to maintain a system or social service that can help individuals and communities at local level and groups on various other levels to attain satisfying standards of life and health by finding supportive methods for individuals to feel connected and valued within society. Such actions can address social marginalisation.
Allowing for such a social facilitation approach will make a great difference to a growing community. For instance, creating better surroundings that aesthetically appeal to people such as vertical gardens and small green spaces throughout different parts of the city which are effective at filtering polluted air and neutralising the carbon footprint of fuel emissions. Improving sustainable healthcare systems that incorporate renewable clean energy and better health insurance models that can help increase affordability and awareness. Additionally, continuing to incorporate other consultative policies and services that coincide with various aspects of people’s lives such as income, security, housing, and cultural traditions will add value.
A sustainable community takes into account the interdependence of economic, environmental, social and political life of the society in which we live by acknowledging that regions, cities, towns and rural lands must continue into the future without diminishing the land, water, air, natural and cultural resources that support them. One cannot predict the future in challenging times, particularly with the economic fallout from Covid. However, we are on the right track when we collectively plan for the future. By taking these imperatives seriously and engaging in challenges with steps underpinned by foresight, political will and visionary leadership, this can be achieved. That in itself will be a social revolution for Namibians.
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