My journey as a consumer activist began in 2006 when I founded the Namibia Consumer Protection Group, which started as a dedicated pressure group of Namibians on Facebook. Since that time, my mission has been to advocate for a fairer economic environment and the establishment of a robust consumer charter for business. Reflecting on the twenty years that have passed between my initial efforts and the ongoing parliamentary discussions in 2026, it is disheartening to see how many of the same systemic issues—specifically regarding debt and lending—continue to plague Namibian citizens.
The Path to the First Parliamentary Enquiry
The formal process toward legislative reform began in earnest in the early 2000s. After receiving specialised training in Düsseldorf, Germany between 2002 and 2003 on credit rating and business reporting, I returned to Namibia to develop a business plan for a national credit information system. This effort culminated in a significant milestone on 14 July 2006, when I made a formal submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics, Natural Resources and Public Administration.
In that first enquiry, I argued that high bank charges and interest rates were driven by the "difficulties in assessing risk" and a lack of reliable consumer data. My proposal at the time was the creation of a Credit Bureau and an economic database through a public-private partnership to provide a reliable source of information, which would theoretically force banks to become more competitive and offer better rates to creditworthy clients.
Comparing Current Proposals (2026) vs. Historical Context
Looking at the recent June 2026 public hearing on lending law protections, the conversation has shifted toward a "social problem" specifically affecting the civil service. While the core issues of high debt and predatory lending remain, the participants in this recent committee meeting offer varying perspectives:
- The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM): They identify the primary causes of debt as low salaries, easy access to credit, and the lack of control over the deduction code system. They acknowledge that the previously mandatory "one-third" net pay rule is no longer effectively enforced by the Ministry of Finance, resulting in civil servants receiving as little as N$ 500 take-home pay.
- Trade Unions (TUN and PSUN): They highlight that salaries are not commensurate with the rising cost of living and inflation. They strongly criticise "loan sharks" (microlenders) charging interest rates of 37% or higher and argue that the current regulatory framework actually supports the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few "well-connected" lenders with access to deduction codes.
- Microlenders Association: They maintain that their members are regulated by NAMFISA and adhere to legal interest caps—notably 30% for short-term "payday" loans—while pointing to the need for better financial literacy embedded in the national curriculum.
Comparing these to my earlier work, there is a clear stagnation in the implementation of protections. In 2011, I noted that the Information and Communications Act had taken ten years to pass, and other crucial laws like the Electronic Transaction and Privacy Protection bills had been "in the pipeline" since 2005. In 2026, officials are still lamenting that while the "regulatory framework could be good on paper," its implementation is failing to serve its purpose.
The Way Forward: Beyond Policy to Implementation
To move forward, we must stop the cycle of endless consultation and move toward specific, enforceable actions. Drawing from my book Future Namibia and the recent hearings, I suggest the following:
- A Comprehensive Consumer Protection Act: This must include the "Right to Information" and "Right to Redress," ensuring that consumers can challenge fraudulent or misleading practices.
- Establishment of a Small Claims Court: As proposed years ago, a court for claims up to N$ 20,000 would allow ordinary citizens to handle their own cases without the prohibitive cost of lawyers.
- National Credit Register and Data Protection: We must finalise the National Credit Register and pass the Data Protection Act to ensure that consumer information is used correctly and that individuals have the right to access and correct their own data.
- Reform of the Deduction Code System: As suggested in the 2026 hearing, the government must regain control over the salary deduction codes. Lenders should be forced to secure repayments through bank arrangements (debit orders) rather than having direct, unregulated access to the state payroll.
- Compulsory Financial Literacy and Wellness: Financial education should be a mandatory school subject ("Citizens' Knowledge") to ensure that future generations understand both their rights and their responsibilities.
Twenty years is too long to wait for the "fruits of freedom" to reach the average consumer. We need a culture of innovation in government that acts fast to protect its most vulnerable citizens from the cycle of debt.
