This week’s edition explores what makes the country such a gem to behold. The ‘Darling Factor’ (the second of three factors in this series) is Namibia’s one-of-a-kind blend of natural beauty, political stability and good infrastructure. At the heart of Namibia’s allure lies its strong democratic foundations.
The country’s Constitution, adopted in 1990 after its hard-fought independence, has accomplished two key feats. Firstly, the Constitution was the first in the world to explicitly protect the environment by enshrining the preservation of it in Article 95 (l), and the government provided opportunities for people living in communal regions to manage their natural resources by establishing communal conservancies. Namibia’s commitment to environmental conservation is truly noticeable, with more than 40% of the country’s land under some sort of protection, either in the form of national parks, communal conservancies or private nature reserves.
This deliberate inclusion of environmental protection maintains the delicate balance of its ecosystems and has not only safeguarded the country’s unique flora and fauna, but has also positioned Namibia as a global leader in sustainable tourism. Secondly, the Constitution has guaranteed stability, acting as the social contract that guides and shapes us as a nation. This deep respect for our Constitution was clearly shown when, after the sudden passing of Namibia’s third president, Hage Geingob, we experienced a smooth t.