Unlocking Namibia’s Potential: A Call for Fair Resource Deals and a Universal Basic Income- A sit down with Herbert Jauch, ESJ Trustee

Our team took this moment to speak with Herbert Jauch, a Social Justice Activist and Labor expert. In this piece you will find interesting views by Mr. Jauch on topics such as deals with DeBeers not in favor of Namibians now living in poverty.

In a recent statement, Botswana’s President Masisi shed light on the repercussions of certain dealings with DeBeers, revealing substantial losses in revenue from diamonds over the years. This revelation prompts contemplation on Namibia’s situation, as a similar deal was struck with DeBeers immediately following its independence.

Maurice Tempelsman, DeBeers’ agent, was among the first visitors to Namibia’s State House after independence. At that time, the Namibian government lacked experience and sufficient knowledge of the diamond industry, potentially resulting in a suboptimal deal for the country.

It is highly likely that Namibia, too, has lost billions of dollars in potential revenue from its diamonds. President Masisi’s commitment to reevaluate and renegotiate for a better deal in Botswana serves as a beacon for Namibia. It is imperative that Namibia reviews its resource deals not only for diamonds but also for various other natural resources, where the country may be getting a raw deal, resulting in significant revenue losses.

This need for change is urgent, as redirecting these millions of dollars could fund decisive interventions in Namibia. These interventions could include employment creation and, more crucially, the introduction of a universal basic income grant. This grant aims to lift all citizens out of poverty, allowing them to lead decent lives.

Empirical evidence from Namibia and other countries, such as Kenya and India, demonstrates the effectiveness of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). By optimizing revenue from natural resources, affordability becomes a non-issue, enabling the immediate introduction of a reasonable monthly amount per person.

As Namibia approaches next year’s elections, a commitment from the prospective government to introduce UBI is essential. This step is crucial to ending the widespread suffering witnessed among many Namibians today. It is time for Namibia to unlock its full potential, ensuring fair resource deals and providing a safety net through a Universal Basic Income for its citizens.