An Open Letter to the Leadership of the Republic of Namibia by Pondalia Francisco Alexandre
By TUW
To:
Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia
Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia
The Right Honourable Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia
Honourable Julius Hambyuka, Governor of Kavango East Region
Your Excellencies,
I extend to you my respectful greetings.
My name is Pondalia Francisco Alexandre. I was born on 25 February 1985 in Kahenge, Kavango West Region. I write this open letter not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of many Namibians who continue to suffer silently due to the lack of national documentation.
Across our beloved country, there are still citizens and long-term residents who do not possess the necessary official documents required to access basic rights and services. Without these documents, individuals are denied opportunities for employment, education, and social benefits. Many are unable to live with dignity despite being born and raised on Namibian soil.
Personally, I am among those affected. Because I do not have the required national documents, I am unable to secure employment. As a result, I struggle daily to provide for my family. Even more painful is the fact that one of my children is currently unable to attend school due to the absence of proper documentation. Education is a fundamental right, and it is heartbreaking for any parent to see their child deprived of this opportunity.
Furthermore, there are elderly people many over the age of sixty who are unable to benefit from the social grants and support systems established by our government simply because they lack documentation. These are citizens who have lived their entire lives contributing to their communities, yet they are excluded from the very systems designed to protect them in old age.
It has been publicly stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs would ensure that all individuals residing in Namibia over the age of twenty receive proper documentation. However, from 2024 until today, many of us have not seen tangible results. The process appears slow and inaccessible, especially in rural areas such as Masivi Village in Rundu, where I currently reside.
Your Excellencies, documentation is not merely paperwork it is the key to identity, dignity, and opportunity. It is the foundation upon which citizens build their lives. Without it, we remain invisible in our own country.
I humbly appeal to your leadership to urgently address this matter. I respectfully request the strengthening and acceleration of documentation processes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Let no Namibian child be denied education, no adult be denied employment, and no elder be denied support because of missing papers.
I believe in the promise of Namibia a nation founded on equality, justice, and opportunity for all. I trust that under your leadership, meaningful action can be taken to ensure that every eligible person is recognized and documented.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
With respect and hope,
Pondalia Francisco Alexandre
Rundu, Kavango East Region
Republic of Namibia.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of Pondalia Francisco Alexandre and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the publication, its editors, or affiliates.
