Opinion – Volunteerism as a catalyst for nation-building

2026-08-192026-08-19By Correspondent

Ten or twenty years from now, I wonder whether we will look back with pride at the country we built.

Will we see thriving communities, stronger institutions and a more inclusive society, knowing that we each played our part?

Or will we look back with regret, recognising that we had opportunities to shape our country’s future but chose to stand on the sidelines?

Namibia’s Vision 2030 and National Development Plans outline an ambitious future for our country. Yet, many regard them as the responsibility of the government or development partners, rather than as something to which we are expected to contribute. This may reflect a lack of understanding, or perhaps we have become comfortable as observers, hoping someone else will solve the problems we all face.

But who, then, is building the country?

Early in my life, I was introduced to volunteerism, which changed my view of my role in society.

It taught me that development is not just about paid work but about recognising needs and asking, ‘What can I do to help?’

Volunteerism helped me see community challenges as opportunities to contribute to solutions.

What is volunteerism

The United Nations defines volunteerism as activities undertaken freely for the public good, where financial reward is not the primary motivation.

Simply put, it is choosing to contribute your time, knowledge or skills because you believe your community will be better for it.

Across the world, volunteerism is a key driver of development, helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

It led to programmes like UNV and AU-YVC, which deploy volunteers globally and on the continent.

Volunteerism is not just about giving back. It is an investment in people.

For many youth, volunteering offers chances to develop skills, gain experience and build networks. In a continent with high youth unemployment, volunteerism bridges education and employment. Former AU Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said volunteerism “unlocks youth potential, builds skills, boosts employability and enables participation in continental development”.

As someone who has volunteered for several years, I can personally attest to this.

Some of the most valuable skills I use today were not acquired in a classroom, but through serving communities, leading projects and working alongside others committed to creating positive change.

Volunteerism and Ubuntu

Long before formal volunteer programmes, African societies were built on mutual support and collective responsibility.

Ubuntu teaches that our humanity is linked to others.

Communities thrived through neighbours sharing labour, supporting harvests, caring for children, and solving community problems.

Nation-building relies on ordinary people doing extraordinary acts for the common good. Even Namibia’s struggle for independence stands as a powerful reminder that progress has never been achieved by spectators alone.

Countless Namibians contributed their time, knowledge and sacrifices to building the nation we enjoy today.

This is not to dismiss concerns about volunteerism. Calls for volunteer medical doctors have sparked debate, with worries about exploitation of professionals working without proper pay. Such concerns are valid.

Volunteerism should not replace fair employment or excuse governments from their duties. Many Namibians are already struggling economically, so expecting more when they need to meet basic needs is unrealistic and unfair.

This is not to dismiss the legitimate concerns about volunteerism.

Recent calls for volunteer medical doctors, for example, sparked widespread debate, with many arguing that asking qualified professionals to work without adequate compensation risks exploitation. Many Namibians are already struggling amid difficult economic conditions.

Expecting people to give more when they are struggling to meet their basic needs is neither realistic nor fair.

Young people are concerned that volunteering will take time away from their job search. These concerns deserve serious consideration. Volunteerism should never become a substitute for fair employment or an excuse for governments and institutions to avoid fulfilling their obligations.

However, acknowledging these realities should not cause us to abandon the spirit of collective responsibility altogether.

Nation-building requires more than policies, budgets and elections.

It requires citizens who are willing to invest in the well-being of their communities.

What does it look like practically?

Volunteerism does not always require joining an organisation or committing hundreds of hours.

It can be as simple as tutoring children in your neighbourhood, mentoring a young person, helping at a soup kitchen, cleaning a public space, supporting an elderly neighbour or using your professional skills to strengthen a community initiative.

Small acts, repeated consistently by many people, are what buil