From liberation to innovation: How Millennials and Gen Zs are Redefining Namibian Freedom

By Naledi Nakuta

Namibia has come a long way since the fight for democracy. For many Gen Xers, apartheid feels like it was just yesterday; for Millennials, the struggle exists somewhere between memory and myth. But for Gen Zers, colonial oppression is something they’ve only encountered in history books, stories, and songs. Yet, not having lived it, doesn’t mean they don’t understand its significance.

In just 35 years, the antagonists have shape-shifted, from unequal opportunity and racial discrimination to unemployment and social ills. However, Namibian youth are rising up against these modern forms of oppression, redefining independence as more than just political freedom. For them, true liberation lies in academic, economic, creative, and social empowerment.

Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma said it best when he highlighted,

“The struggle for independence was not just about political freedom; it was about creating opportunities for the youth to thrive and shape the destiny of our nation.”

Countrywide, we see innovators taking charge in tech, fashion, agriculture, media, and many other industries. The youth are not just participants, they are pioneers, rewriting the narrative in ways that impact not only their generation but the nation as a whole.

Photographers and visual artists are offering fresh perspectives, with their work showcased in galleries, museums, and even the streets, capturing the essence of a changing Namibia. Hage Nasheo, a visual artist known for creating Afrocentric sculptures and mixed media paintings from recycled material, proves that artists don’t always need extraordinary tools, just their creativity, matter around them and the courage to create.

Innovators are building something out of nothing, proving that resourcefulness can overcome limitations. Such as the founders of ibiaTV, a local streaming service that offers exclusive Namibian films and series to fill in a gap within the Namibian market and build the creative industry by allowing filmmakers to adapt to digital innovation.

Countrywide, musicians are blending traditional sounds with new rhythms that redefine Namibian authenticity. Khadijah, actress and musician is the quintessential example of a creative who cannot be put in a box. Her music encapsulates her Coloured heritage in a way that she never saw before.

“Through my hit song “Lekker”,  I was brought back to my roots and I embraced what it means to be a Coloured girl not knowing how it would impact other girls like me. They felt seen and represented and I never anticipated the reception,” she states.

Entrepreneurs refuse to conform to the status quo and hustle against all odds. Assertive leaders are using their voices to question “norms” and reshape the nation’s future.

Namibia’s history is one of hardship, triumph, struggle, and resilience. But true progress means recognising that the fight for freedom is far from over. With a youth unemployment rate of 43.4% (National Planning Commission), today’s battle is not against physical oppression but against systemic barriers.

The real danger is not unemployment itself, it is the acceptance of it.

The current generation has inherited freedom, but what will they do with it? Will they let circumstances define them, or will they shape the future they want to see? The time to act is now, whether it’s through innovation, entrepreneurship, or creative expression, every contribution counts.

Liberation was the first step. What comes next is up to us.