Interview: 2026 Could Be a Breakthrough Year for Namibia’s Food Security, Says Alliance Director

Windhoek, 6 January 2026 – Ben Schernick, Director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NFSAN), says the new administration’s enthusiasm and focus on poverty eradication, health, and food security present a unique opportunity for progress in 2026.

Speaking in a detailed interview, Schernick welcomed the government’s commitment but stressed the importance of strengthening and fully implementing existing policies, including the Food and Nutrition Security Policy under the office of the Prime Minister. “We have structures in place that, if properly coordinated, can bring together ministries, civil society, academia, and the private sector to tackle food insecurity and inequality,” he said.

Schernick highlighted that new task forces, such as the malnutrition and housing initiatives, must avoid creating parallel systems and instead build on existing frameworks. “The new energy of the administration must complement, not replace, established structures,” he added.

He also called for dedicated, consistently active coordination teams, rather than volunteer efforts, to ensure strategies are implemented effectively. “Addressing food and nutrition security requires multi-sectoral collaboration. One ministry alone cannot solve these challenges,” he explained.

Schernick concluded with cautious optimism, saying that 2026 could be a year of tangible progress if the government combines innovative thinking with the robust policies already on paper. “With proper coordination and collaboration across sectors, Namibia can finally move forward on these critical issues,” he said.