As I jogged through the streets of Windhoek this morning, I couldn’t help but draw a stark contrast between the city’s streets and my recent visit to Japan. The most noticeable difference was the relative darkness of our streets compared to the well-illuminated Japanese counterparts.

Moreover, I couldn’t help but notice the dearth of designated pedestrian crossings at road intersections in Windhoek. It seems as if pedestrians are not prioritized here, which stands in stark contrast to the meticulous attention given to pedestrian safety in Japan. In Japan, I observed a seamless system where, whenever cars and pedestrians intersected, the latter were consistently prioritized.

Could Namibia benefit from incorporating elements of this Japanese approach? Adding more designated pedestrian crossings and improving street lighting could be instrumental in enhancing safety on our streets.

Our streets could become safer and more pedestrian-friendly, contributing to a better quality of life for our community. Let’s consider these changes to make Windhoek a safer and more welcoming place for pedestrians.