Discussing Economic and Personal Freedom In Namibia
Held at country’s largest and leading university, 24 students gathered at the LF hall of the University of Namibia on 26 July, to discuss Economic and Personal Freedom. The event was hosted by Students For Liberty, Namibia in partnership with Chevauchee Foundation, a non-profit working toward a prosperous, free and tolerant Namibia characterized by individual freedom, the rule of law and peace.
Local Coordinator, Moses Gideon, who organized the event, explained that the aim of the event was to focus and drive discussions around individual and economic freedom through education and enlightenment in light of recent events in the country, and also to get more students to know about Students for Liberty and become active leaders.
Guest speakers at the event include Nathan Tjirmuj, the founder of Chevauchee Foundation; and Fred McMahon of the Fraser Institute.
McMahon spoke on the topic of Entrepreneurship and Economic Freedom at the event. He mentioned that economic freedom is actually an enemy of corruption, because in a free economy, people are free to do whatever they want, and so there is no need of bribes and favouritism.
Fred McMahon speaking at the event.
He says those that have jobs are lucky, because job opportunities in Namibia are becoming scarce. It is not the work of the government to provide jobs, noting that entrepreneurship is the way out. He encouraged the students to be job creators rather than being job seekers.
On Namibia’s current business problem, and way out, McMahon said government-should mentality is not a solution, explaining that the more hands of the state in economic affairs poses more problems. He explained that the size of the government influence the economic freedom of a country. If the government is large, spends so much and weights more on income taxes and property rights, there will be no economic freedom, because the state lives at the expenses of taxpayers funds.
Nathan Tjirmuj spoke on Personal Freedom, stressing the need for individuals to be free to act and make choices, so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone.
Participants after the event.