In a country once guided by ideals of unity, liberty, and justice, the spirit of shame and accountability seems to be fading. In its place, a culture of impunity has taken root — one where exposure leads not to introspection, but to indignation. When questioned about murky tenders or inflated deals, the common retorts are:
“You’re just jealous.”
“It’s not my fault you don’t want to be in business.”
Today, corruption is defended as empowerment, and criticism is framed as sabotage. But behind these justifications lies a growing crisis — one that threatens the integrity of Namibia’s democratic institutions.
A Season of Scandal
The 2024–2025 news cycle has been anything but quiet. In a time when the public is weary of hollow promises and unchecked power, several tender scandals have reignited national concern:
1. Electoral Tender Sparks Outrage
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) awarded a sensitive ballot printing contract to Ren-Form CC — a company tied to a N$570 million invoice inflation scandal in Zimbabwe. The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) called for the tender to be cancelled, warning of the threat to free and fair elections.
“We must act now before it’s too late,” NEFF warned. (The Namibian)
2. Food Tender: N$6 Million More for Less
In another eyebrow-raising decision, the Ministry of Education awarded a N$44 million catering contract to a bidder whose offer was over N$6 million higher than a competitor. The losing bidder, Platinum Investments, is challenging the decision in court, citing blatant irregularities.
“How can this be justified during a time of budget constraints?” asked one education stakeholder. (Confidente Namibia)
3. Roads Tender Under the Microscope
The Roads Contractor Company is under investigation for awarding a N$1.5 million fuel tender to a company linked to a controversial businessman. Allegations point to overpayment and a suspicious lack of transparency in the procurement process. (The Namibian)
4. The Billion-Dollar Road to Epupa
The Roads Authority moved forward with a N$1 billion Opuwo-Epupa road project — allegedly without required approvals from the ministries of finance and transport. Observers claim the tender conditions were tailored to favour certain companies.
“This is a textbook example of how procedural gaps are exploited,” one procurement analyst noted. (AllAfrica)
5. Military Business in Civil Tenders
Job Amupanda exposed what he called blatant corruption in awarding a //Kharas Regional Council building tender to August 26 Construction, a company owned by the Ministry of Defence. The deal, critics say, undermines fair competition and civilian oversight. (New Era)
6. Local Businesses Shut Out Again
NamWater’s decision to award a N$237 million pipeline contract to a Chinese company — bypassing Namibian bidders — drew criticism from the Namibia Local Business Association.
“If locals can’t participate in building national infrastructure, who is this development really for?” asked a concerned business owner. (NAMPA)
Toward Reform: Can Technology Help?
Experts and anti-corruption agencies argue that the answer lies in digitalising procurement. E-procurement systems can introduce transparency, reduce human discretion, and minimise opportunities for corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission and civil society continue to advocate for these reforms, but political will remains the missing ingredient. (Namibian Sun)
Cry, Beloved Namibia
The pattern is clear. Tenders that should foster development are instead breeding resentment. Public money is being used not to build a better Namibia, but to enrich the few.
But all is not lost. If we can turn this collective frustration into action — if we can hold our leaders accountable, and demand systems that serve all Namibians — then there is still hope.
As we look ahead to the 2025 elections and beyond, the time to act is now.
Cry, beloved Namibia. But let those tears be the seeds of change.
