If we fail, the coming generations will be spitting and urinating on our graves as the authors of their oppression – Job Amupanda
By TUW
Professor Job Shipululo Amupanda has warned that future generations will judge today’s leaders harshly if Namibia fails to dismantle colonial-era systems that continue to shape the country’s economy, agriculture and cultural practices.
His remarks come amid renewed public debate over the consumption of dog meat, agricultural restrictions and the influence of colonial structures more than three decades after Namibia gained independence.
The debate was sparked after a video of Amupanda visiting a marketplace in Omuthiya where dog meat is sold circulated widely on social media. In the video, he purchased dog meat and encouraged his supporters to support the vendor’s business.
The video triggered nationwide discussions, with many people calling for the consumption and sale of dog meat to be banned in Namibia. The debate was particularly intense in parts of northern Namibia, where the consumption of dog meat has long been practised.
Responding to the criticism, Amupanda argued that the controversy extends beyond the issue of dog meat and reflects broader questions about cultural freedom, economic control and whose values continue to shape public policy in Namibia.
According to Amupanda, colonialism continues to influence Namibia’s economy and society despite the country’s political independence. He said this is reflected in restrictions on the movement of agricultural products, which prevent some black Namibians from transporting meat they consume for personal use to other parts of the country.
“White culture, logic and subjectivities, the debate demonstrated, are still highly ranked in our social hierarchy unfortunately supervised by black freedom fighters,” Amupanda stated.
He also criticised the country’s education system, arguing that it places greater emphasis on English than on agriculture, resulting in graduates who possess academic qualifications but lack the skills to contribute to food production.
“Part of the reason why whiteness controls and dominates our livelihoods is because we tend to focus more on political power, electoral politics, and political behaviour of political actors than structural issues of our economy. Agriculture, an important economic matter, is left to liberal agriculturalists as if natives are not innate agriculturalists. A recent social media post came to mind that read that the black government made English in school compulsory and agriculture optional. We now have hungry graduates speaking good English,” he said.
Amupanda further argued that Namibia’s development model has largely overlooked indigenous knowledge and traditional livelihoods. He said development has become narrowly defined through urbanisation and government-led projects, while rural communities continue to face restrictions on food production and agricultural activities.
He also questioned the continued protection of agricultural land ownership patterns established during colonial rule, warning that the country must rethink its approach to development to safeguard food security and ensure future generations inherit a more equitable society.
“If we fail, the coming generations will be spitting and urinating on our graves as the authors of their oppression, subjugation, and domination,” Amupanda warned.
Amupanda has also challenged the veterinary cordon fence, commonly known as the Red Line, which restricts the movement of livestock and meat from northern Namibia to the southern parts of the country. The restriction was introduced before Namibia’s independence and remains in force today.
He took the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to court over the Red Line, arguing that the long-standing restriction continues to affect agricultural activities and the movement of livestock and meat in the country. The legal battle over the matter remains ongoing.
