Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught? Rethinking How We Nurture Innovators

For decades, entrepreneurship has been viewed through a romantic lens—one that celebrates lone geniuses, risk-takers, and rule-breakers who build empires out of thin air. This perception has given rise to a myth: that entrepreneurship is a rare, inborn talent that can’t be taught. But as the global economy shifts and innovation becomes a necessity rather than a luxury, we must challenge this idea.


It Starts with a Definition

To answer the question of whether entrepreneurship can be taught, we must first redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is not simply about starting a business or owning a company. According to management thinker Peter Drucker, entrepreneurship is “not magic, not mysterious, and it has nothing to do with genes. It is a discipline—and like any discipline, it can be learned.”

Entrepreneurship is about identifying opportunities, applying creative solutions, and building value—whether in the private, public, or social sectors. This mindset can be taught, nurtured, and embedded in individuals from a young age.


Education as a Catalyst

Around the world, forward-thinking education systems are integrating entrepreneurship into mainstream learning—not as a standalone subject, but as a way of thinking.


Best practice example: Finland

In Finland, entrepreneurship education starts early. Schools encourage project-based learning, teamwork, problem-solving, and student-led initiatives. Entrepreneurship is embedded across subjects, helping students develop a sense of initiative and responsibility.


What we can do locally:

  • Teachers should develop cross-disciplinary approaches that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

  • Curriculum designers must focus on instilling entrepreneurial attitudes—curiosity, resilience, adaptability—not just business skills.

  • Entrepreneurship should be embedded in school life: through competitions, idea fairs, student-run enterprises, and exposure to role models.

These methods help students see entrepreneurship not as a career path for a chosen few, but as a mindset for navigating life.


Families and Communities Have a Role Too

Parents and communities can spark curiosity and innovation by encouraging children to explore, create, and experiment. Whether it’s starting a garden project, a small side hustle, or managing a household budget, every activity that encourages responsibility and innovation lays the foundation for future entrepreneurial thinking.


The Role of Government: Enabling, Not Controlling

Government policy can make or break a country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.


Best practice example: Singapore

Singapore has developed one of the most entrepreneur-friendly environments in the world by combining robust education reforms with strong public-private partnerships. Government incentives include start-up grants, innovation hubs, simplified business registration, and bankruptcy laws that encourage risk-taking without lifelong penalties.

What we can do locally:

  • Reform bankruptcy laws to remove the stigma of failure.

  • Provide tax breaks and incentives for start-ups and early-stage investors.

  • Celebrate entrepreneurs as national assets—not just when they succeed, but for taking the initiative in the first place.


Unlocking the 15%

Globally, it’s believed that around 20% of any given population has entrepreneurial potential. Yet in many developing countries, including Namibia and South Africa, the actual entrepreneurship rate hovers far lower—around 5%. That means we’re missing out on a huge pool of potential.

This deficit isn’t due to a lack of talent. It stems from a lack of exposure, support, and belief. Our job—whether as educators, policymakers, or community members—is not necessarily to “teach entrepreneurship” to everyone, but to create the conditions where it can emerge. We must help individuals recognise their potential and give them the tools to act on it.


Not Everyone Needs to Be an Entrepreneur—But Everyone Needs Entrepreneurial Skills

Title: Labour Hire in Namibia – A Necessary Evil or Just Exploitation?

In recent years, the debate over labour hire in Namibia has intensified. Some see it as a tool for job creation and business flexibility. Others, especially workers themselves, experience it as a form of modern-day exploitation. So, what is the truth behind labour hire—and what can we, as Namibians, do about it?

The Global Labour Hire Debate

Around the world, labour hire (or labour brokering) is big business. It allows companies to get workers quickly and without the long-term commitments of permanent employment. Labour hire agencies handle the HR paperwork, and the workers go straight to the job site.

Sounds simple, right?

But dig deeper, and the problems become clear. Labour hire workers are often paid less than their permanently employed colleagues—even when they do the exact same work. They usually miss out on pensions, paid leave, and workplace protections. In some countries, like Australia and parts of Europe, laws have been passed to ensure equal pay and rights for labour hire workers. In others, like Namibia, enforcement is still a major issue.


Namibia: History Repeating?

Labour hire in Namibia brings back painful memories of the apartheid-era contract labour system. Workers were shipped off from their homes, paid little, and stripped of their dignity.

In 2007, the Namibian government tried to ban labour hire outright. But in 2009, the Supreme Court struck it down, saying the law was too broad. A new amendment in 2012 gave some protection: labour hire workers must be treated the same as direct employees. But in practice, this is not always happening.

Namibian newspapers, social media, and even union reports are full of horror stories: no sick leave, no pension, no medical aid. A young man working through an agency in a supermarket earns half of what his permanent colleague does—just because he’s hired through a third party. Where’s the justice in that?


What Needs to Change

Labour hire isn’t going away. But we can make it better:

  • Enforce the laws already in place.

  • Ensure labour hire workers get equal pay, benefits, and protection.

  • Hold recruitment agencies accountable.

  • Give workers a voice through unions and proper workplace representation.

  • And most importantly, grow our economy to create real, permanent jobs.


Final Thoughts

Namibia is a country of resilience and hope. We cannot let our people suffer in silence, working jobs that pay too little and protect even less. Labour hire should not be a trap. It should be a stepping stone—a temporary arrangement on the way to something better.

If we stand together, speak up, and push for reform, we can make the labour system work for the people, not against them.

The Enduring Argument for Rent Control in Namibia: An Updated Perspective (2025)

The escalating rental prices in Namibia, particularly in Windhoek, remain a critical concern, much as they were over a decade ago when The Namibian newspaper first requested the Namibia Consumer Protection Group (NCPG) to address this issue. Milton Louw, a prominent Namibian technology consultant, consumer rights advocate, and writer, and a key figure behind the NCPG, has consistently highlighted this struggle as a core example of broader consumer exploitation in Namibia. While salaries have not kept pace with the drastic increase in property rental prices, many Namibians find themselves unable to afford decent housing. This dire situation highlights the ongoing relevance of the debate around rent control, especially given the current unregulated rental market in the country.

What is Rent Control?

Rent control refers to laws or regulations that establish price ceilings on residential housing rentals. It acts as a mechanism to manage rental costs, and such policies exist in approximately 40 countries worldwide. Generally, these laws dictate the frequency and degree of rent increases, often limiting them to a rate less than the prevailing inflation.

Arguments for Rent Control

The arguments in favor of rent control are rooted in economic stability, social equity, and fundamental human rights:

  • Economic Stability for Tenants: In an unregulated market, landlords can impose arbitrary and excessive rent increases. Rent control provides tenants with the ability to budget and insist on minimum property standards without fear of retaliatory rent hikes. This stability is crucial in an environment where the cost of living is exorbitant and average salaries struggle to keep up. Reports from the FNB Rent Price Index show a continuation of upward trends, with average rent prices reaching N$7,257 by the end of 2024, significantly impacting household budgets.
  • Consumer Protection and Social Welfare: The social aspect of rent stabilissation, or rent control, is paramount for consumer protection. Without regulation, landlords can demand any increase, forcing tenants to either pay or face eviction and the disruption of their lives. Rent control offers much-needed assurance, allowing consumers to maintain stable housing situations, which is vital for family well-being and community cohesion. The current state in Windhoek sees many unscrupulous landlords increasing rent beyond inflation, sometimes more than the traditionally accepted 10%. As consumer advocate Milton Louw has often noted in his columns, without proper regulatory frameworks, individuals are left vulnerable to market forces that prioritise profit over basic needs, demonstrating a form of capitalism that fails its citizens. He has personally recounted instances where tenants faced shocking 25% rent increases, rendering properties unaffordable for ordinary working families.
  • Housing as a Human Right: Fundamentally, housing is a human right that should take precedence over the unrestricted property rights of landlords. This moral argument suggests that a landlord's income from a property should be reasonably restricted, perhaps to a formula, to ensure affordability. Articles 8 (human dignity) and 10 (equality) of the Namibian Constitution implicitly support the notion that access to adequate housing is essential for dignified living, making market intervention justifiable when the market fails to provide this right.
  • Addressing Market Failures: The current housing crisis in Namibia, characterized by exceptionally high rental prices and a severe shortage of affordable accommodation, indicates a significant market failure. When the free market cannot adequately provide a basic necessity like housing at accessible prices, government intervention through mechanisms like rent control becomes a necessary tool to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation and ensure broader social welfare.

Arguments Against Rent Control

While proponents highlight the benefits, arguments against rent control also warrant careful consideration:

  • Reduced Quantity and Quality of Housing: A primary concern is that capping rents can discourage investment in rental properties, leading to a decrease in the supply of available housing. If landlords cannot achieve desired returns, they may be less inclined to build new units or adequately maintain existing ones, potentially leading to a decline in housing quality and urban decay in affected areas.
  • Impact on Property Values and Financial Institutions: The introduction of rent control could reduce the resale value of affected properties. This would directly impact banks and other mortgage holders, as the estimated values of properties used for collateral might exceed their true resale value, particularly in foreclosure scenarios. Consequently, municipal valuations would also need to be adjusted downwards.
  • Potential for Black Markets and Informal Practices: When rents are artificially suppressed below market rates, it can incentivize unofficial or "black market" rental arrangements. This can lead to under-the-table payments, discriminatory practices, and a lack of tenant protections, ultimately undermining the very goals of rent control.
  • Temporary Fix, Not a Root Solution: Critics argue that rent control is often a short-term measure that fails to address the underlying causes of housing shortages. While it might provide temporary relief, it does not inherently increase the supply of housing or resolve issues related to land availability and development costs.

What is Causing the Problem? 

The problem of escalating rental prices in Namibia stems from a complex interplay of factors:

  • Supply-Demand Imbalance: A free market economy allows tenants to offer rental amounts for available space. However, in conditions of monetary inflation and severe housing shortages, rents inevitably rise as landlords find numerous tenants willing to meet their asking prices.
  • Slow Land Delivery: A major contributing factor is the slow pace at which serviced land is made available for new residential units, particularly in urban centers like Windhoek.
  • High Cost of Living: The overall high cost of living in Namibia, coupled with stagnant salaries, exacerbates the affordability crisis.
  • Influx of New Inhabitants: The surging influx of new inhabitants, partly driven by employment opportunities in sectors like oil and gas, further increases demand for limited housing, driving prices up.
  • Rapid Urbanization: Namibia is experiencing rapid urbanization, with a significant increase in urban population over the past decades (from 28% in 1991 to 65.5% in 2023). This has led to a proliferation of informal settlements and immense pressure on urban housing.
  • Systemic Economic Imbalances: Milton Louw has consistently argued that "Namibia's form of capitalism has lost its course," leading to a situation where consumers, particularly the poor, have very little choice regarding prices and products. This lack of market oversight contributes significantly to issues like arbitrary rent increases, pushing more families onto "the relentless road to poverty."

Namibia's Current State and the Way Forward

As of June 2025, Namibia does not have an enacted Rent Control Bill. Despite being under review by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development since 2017 with the aim to regulate rental fees and increases, the bill has faced significant delays and was not on the legislative agenda for 2024/2025. This means rental fees and increases currently remain unregulated. The existing Rents Ordinance Act 13 of 1977 mandates notice periods and the establishment of Rent Boards for certain areas (e.g., Khomas Region/City of Windhoek), but these do not establish comprehensive rent control.

The government acknowledges the housing crisis. The 2023 National Housing Policy, approved in November 2023, aims to address housing shortages through initiatives such as:

  • Overhauling eligibility criteria for the National Housing Enterprise (NHE).
  • Servicing at least 10,000 plots annually to support low- and middle-income housing construction through programs like the Build Together Programme and partnerships with the Shack Dwellers Federation.
  • Allocating N$500 million for the formalization of informal settlements.
  • Proposals for a new Ministry of Land Delivery and Housing Provision to streamline efforts.

Conclusion

While the Rent Control Bill remains unpassed, the core argument for rent control as an interim measure to curb exploitation and provide relief to struggling tenants in Namibia is stronger than ever. The unregulated market, coupled with severe housing shortages and a growing population, continues to place immense pressure on affordability.

However, rent control alone is not a panacea. Sustainable solutions must directly address the fundamental causes of the housing shortage. This necessitates a multi-pronged approach that includes:

  • Expediting Land Delivery: Municipalities and relevant authorities must significantly increase the number of serviced erven available for building, especially for lower-income housing.
  • Accelerated Housing Development: The government's commitment to servicing 10,000 plots annually and formalizing informal settlements through the 2023 National Housing Policy and initiatives like the "Build Together Programme" is crucial and must be effectively implemented and scaled.
  • Direct Income Support: As the NCPG has long advocated, direct income support mechanisms for low-income households, such as food stamps, health insurance, or national pension plans, can indirectly improve housing affordability by easing the burden of other essential expenses.
  • Policy Streamlining: Addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks, such as prolonged procurement processes and non-compliance with procedures, as highlighted by the Parliamentary Committee on Economics and Public Administration, is vital for efficient housing project delivery.
  • Comprehensive Consumer Protection Legislation: Echoing Milton Louw's long-standing calls, Namibia urgently needs a robust Consumer Charter to protect citizens across all sectors, including housing. Furthermore, the establishment of accessible legal avenues, such as a dedicated Consumer Court or Tribunal, as championed by Louw, is crucial to empower ordinary Namibians to seek justice against unfair practices without incurring prohibitive legal costs.
  • Prioritising Informational Privacy and Technology for Good: While Milton Louw has worked on advanced database systems, he has simultaneously stressed that such technological advancements must be accompanied by strong data protection and privacy laws (like a Data Protection Act and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations). This ensures that while technology can help streamline public services, citizens' rights are fiercely protected.

Namibia desperately needs comprehensive, sustainable solutions that improve health, safety, and comfort for all its citizens, and more specifically, reduce the high cost-to-income ratio for low-income families concerning water, energy, and housing. The debate around rent control is a symptom of a larger systemic issue that demands urgent and multifaceted action from all stakeholders.

The Long Shadow of Apartheid: Generations Forged in Division, a Nation Striving for Unity

Apartheid, a word that evokes images of brutal segregation and systemic injustice, officially cast its dark shadow over South West Africa (now Namibia) after 1948. While racial discrimination was deeply ingrained in the territory long before, the post-1948 era saw the comprehensive and legally enforced implementation of apartheid policies, mirroring those in South Africa. This was not merely about separate facilities; it was a meticulously crafted system designed to entrench white minority rule and disenfranchise, dispossess, and dehumanize the majority Black population.

Growing Up Under Apartheid: A World of Engineered Inequality

For generations of Namibians, apartheid dictated every aspect of their lives from birth. The impact was profound and multifaceted:

  • Education as a Tool of Oppression: Black children were condemned to an inferior "Bantu Education" system, deliberately designed to limit their intellectual potential and prepare them only for manual labor. Schools were underfunded, overcrowded, and staffed by poorly qualified teachers. Meanwhile, white children enjoyed state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum aimed at intellectual development and leadership. This created an immediate and lasting educational gap, severely limiting opportunities for Black Namibians.
  • Forced Removals and Dispossession: The Group Areas Act and similar policies led to mass forced removals, pushing Black communities from their ancestral lands and vibrant urban areas into designated "homelands" or townships like Katutura. These areas were often barren, lacked infrastructure, and were far from economic opportunities. This systematic land dispossession impoverished communities and stripped people of their dignity and self-sufficiency.
  • Economic Exploitation and Limited Mobility: Black Namibians were largely confined to low-skill, low-wage jobs in mines, farms, and domestic service. Skilled positions were reserved for whites, and Black entrepreneurship was stifled. The "Red Line," a veterinary fence, also had significant economic implications, historically restricting the movement of livestock and people, reinforcing economic disparities between the north and the commercial farming areas. The migrant labor system further broke down families and communities, forcing men to live in single-sex hostels away from their homes for extended periods.
  • Psychological and Social Trauma: Beyond the tangible restrictions, apartheid inflicted deep psychological wounds. The constant humiliation, discrimination, and violence fostered a sense of inferiority, anger, and mistrust. Families were torn apart, cultural practices suppressed, and a generation grew up in a society where their worth was determined by the color of their skin. The struggle for liberation was often met with brutal repression, including arrests, detention without trial, and violence.

The Dawn of Independence: What Has Changed?

On March 21, 1990, Namibia finally gained its independence from South Africa, marking the official end of apartheid. The new nation adopted a progressive constitution, committed to democratic governance, human rights, and the dismantling of the apartheid legacy.

Significant changes have indeed taken place:

  • Political Freedom and Democracy: All Namibians now have the right to vote and participate in democratic processes. The country holds regular, free, and fair elections, and a multi-party system allows for diverse voices.
  • Legal Equality: Discriminatory laws have been abolished, and all citizens are equal before the law. Institutions have been established to protect human rights and promote social justice.
  • Access to Education and Services: The education system has been unified, and efforts have been made to expand access to schooling and healthcare for all Namibians, particularly in historically disadvantaged areas.
  • Economic Development: Namibia has made strides in economic development, leveraging its rich natural resources. The government has implemented policies aimed at poverty reduction and economic empowerment.

The Present Situation: A Work in Progress

However, the shadow of apartheid, though receding, has not entirely vanished. Its legacy continues to shape Namibia's present reality, presenting ongoing challenges:

  • Persistent Inequality: Despite progress, Namibia remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. The economic disparities inherited from apartheid are deeply entrenched, with wealth and land ownership still heavily skewed towards the white minority. Many Black Namibians, particularly the youth, face high unemployment and limited economic opportunities.
  • Land Reform: Land ownership remains a contentious issue. While efforts are underway to redistribute land, the process is slow, and the majority of productive land is still in the hands of a few, many of whom are descendants of former colonizers.
  • Socio-economic Challenges: High rates of poverty, particularly in rural areas, and persistent challenges in access to quality education, healthcare, and housing continue to disproportionately affect historically disadvantaged communities.
  • Psychological and Social Healing: Decades of systemic oppression left deep scars. The process of national healing and reconciliation is ongoing, requiring continued dialogue, understanding, and addressing the root causes of historical injustices.

Namibia's journey since independence is a testament to the resilience of its people. While the legal framework of apartheid has been dismantled, the nation is still actively working to overcome the enduring socio-economic and psychological impacts of this dark chapter in its history. The vision of a truly equitable and inclusive Namibia, where the opportunities of the "born free" generation are not determined by the past, remains the driving force for a nation striving for a brighter, more just future.

The Citizen Informaticist: Empowering Lives Through Information Flow


Windhoek, Namibia – June 7, 2025 – Over a decade ago, on July 20, 2012, I coined a term that has since guided my life's purpose: Citizen Informaticist. It's more than just a title; it's a profound belief that the most effective way to improve the lives of citizens worldwide is by enhancing the flow of information.

This isn't just about data; it's about connecting people with what they need to thrive. It encompasses:

  • Information about government services: Ensuring citizens know what's available to them and how to access it.
  • Information about the citizen and their specific needs: Understanding individual requirements to deliver tailored and effective solutions.

My ultimate vision is a world where citizens are empowered to share information, fostering ethical leadershipeverywhere. For me, ethics are the fundamental values that guide our choices and actions – the very decisions that shape our lives and the course of our societies.

With this vision firmly in sight, my mission becomes clear:

“To develop the tools and systems that assist the management of countries – across government, civil society, and the private sector – in providing access to services and technologies, ensuring the maximum quality of life for all who live there.”

Once the vision and mission are defined, the path forward is to develop SMART objectives that bring this aspiration to fruition.




A Decade of Informatic Action: My Journey as a Citizen Informaticist

Looking back, it's evident that the principle of being a Citizen Informaticist has been the driving force behind much of my work over the past decade. Here are some key projects that embody this commitment:

  1. Future Namibia (Book): This work highlighted a crucial form of discrimination: not just race, culture, gender, or geography, but the insidious barrier of unequal access to services and technology. It underscored the importance of information in bridging these divides.

  2. Milton Louw Blogs: This platform has been instrumental in sharing my ideas on an empowered citizenry. It led to newspaper articles and television interviews, amplifying the message and reaching a broader audience.

  3. Government of Namibia Blog: As a comprehensive directory, this initiative aimed to demystify government operations. It provided:

    • Contact details for ministers and directors.
    • Vision, mission, and objectives of ministries.
    • Strategic plans and focus areas.
    • Explanations of work processes.
    • Recent press releases and articles about ministries.

My current major undertaking continues this journey: co-authoring ”THE ETHICAL WAY TO WIN ELECTIONS: The Essential Guide to Building a Successful Value-based Campaign.” This book aims to provide practical guidance for ensuring that political leadership is rooted in strong ethical principles and serves the best interests of citizens.


The concept of a Citizen Informaticist is more relevant than ever in our increasingly connected world. It's about leveraging the power of information for the collective good.

Would you join me in becoming a Citizen Informaticist in your own country, working to empower your community through better information flow?

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