KAS Namibia-Angola

KAS invited three different experts as panelists: Prof. Dr. Matthias Herdegen, Chair for Public, European and International Law from the University of Bonn, Suta Kavari, Vice Chairperson of the Economic Assiciation of Namibia and Yvonne Dausab, Chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission. Prof. Nico Horn, faculty of law, UNAM moderated the event.

Because of the topicality and the numerous controversial discussions in the media, the interest in the event was very big, which also reflected in the size of the audience: Nearly 200 interested people joined to participate.

Mr. Reinhard Willig, Head of office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Namibia-Angola, officially opened the event.

Afterwards, the three panelists each presented a short statement on NEEEF from their own point of view.

Ms. Yvonne Dausab underlined in her statement the need of social compensation in Namibia. She pointed out that good educated doesn’t necessarily lead to the chance of social advancement in Namibia. Therefore, NEEEF would make it easier for investors and potential partners to come together and succeed.

However, Mr. Suta Kavari took the point of view that the NEEEF would rather stop investors from coming to Namibia and that, therefore, the economy would suffer in the long run. He also linked the recent downgrading through rating agencies to the uncertainty brought on by the debates and discussions about NEEEF.

Before this context, the last panelist Prof. Dr. Herdegen posed the general question of the regimentation of the NEEEF framework. He also brought across that the question of who can actually be considered as previously disadvantaged and would therefore be benefitting before this context is not necessarily an easy one to answer.

After that, the floor was opened for discussion, and the audience was requested to note their questions down. Subsequently, they were the presented to the experts by moderator Prof. Nico Horn.

KAS would like to thank the panelists, our moderator as well as the interested audience that enriched this event through their eager participation and interesting question.

All comment and questions of the evening can also be found in the attached document on the upper right hand side of this webpage.