EDITORIAL: Namibia in the words of Roosevelt

In 1910, former US President Theodore Roosevelt delivered one of the most famous speeches in history, 'Citizenship in a Republic'.At its heart it was a powerful message that still resonates over a century later: "It is not the critic who counts... the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena."Roosevelt’s speech was a call to action for citizens to engage in their republic – not merely as spectators or critics but as individuals willing to take risks and contribute meaningfully. In Namibia, this message is critical at a time when public discourse is often dominated by blame rather than solutions. Economic inequality, youth unemployment, corruption concerns and service delivery challenges are pressing issues, but addressing them requires more than criticism.The “man in the arena” is the leader who dares to make tough decisions, the entrepreneur who ventures into new industries, the activist who pushes for reform, and the everyday citizen who exercises their democratic rights responsibly. It is easy to complain from the sidelines, but true progress comes from those willing to endure setbacks, criticism, and failure in the pursuit of meaningful change.Rather than waiting solely for government intervention, Roosevelt’s words remind us that solutions can also emerge from within communities. Entrepreneurial ventures, skills development, and civic engagement initiatives are arenas in which Namibians can take charge of their destinies.Democracy is not a passive system; it thrives when citizens embrace their roles with courage and resilience. Roosevelt acknowledged that those who dare greatly will face criticism and failure, but it is far better than being among those "who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

EDITORIAL: Namibia in the words of Roosevelt

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-02-26

Please login to leave a comment

EDITORIAL: Namibia in the words of Roosevelt

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-02-26

Please login to leave a comment

Login