Namibian Independence Day Budget Controversy

This week, one of the largest stories featured in The Namibian, Namibia's popular daily paper, has the striking headline "Broke Govt to Spend on Independence Day." As others have noted in recent weeks, balancing the national budget has proved to be problematic for members of the Namibian government.



Independence Day celebrations are expected to take place on the 21st of March this year in Tsumeb in the Oshikoto region. It's notable that this is the closest town to Etosha National Park. Although Calle Schlettwein, finance minister of Namibia, would not give an exact figure for the events, an expected multimillion-dollar budget has been set aside to cover costs. In 2015, the government spent over $20 million (in Namibian dollars) on a combined expense of Independence Day celebrations and also President Hage Geingob's inauguration.

Schlettwein has been quoted saying that Independence Day is the most important public holiday Namibia has. When approached with suggestions to make Independence Day a national cleanup day in neighborhoods rather than a showy, expensive affair, Schlettwein rebuked the possibility.

Meanwhile, Stanley Simataa - minister of information - has publicly stated interest in cutting costs around the celebration.

Sources:

https://www.namibian.com.na/64762/read/Broke-Govt-to-spend-on-Independence-Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Namibia

- Cecilia A.