By Stefanus Nashama
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes believes Michael Amushelelo’s activism and political involvement are driven by resentment towards the State following the seizure of his assets, questioning whether his fight against injustice is rooted in a genuine commitment to social change.
Johannes argued that Amushelelo was previously known for promoting entrepreneurship and displaying his wealth on social media rather than campaigning against social and economic injustices.
“Amushelelo was never an activist before. He was primarily known for motivating people on social media about how to do business by showcasing wealth,” Johannes said.
He questioned why Amushelelo had not previously used his financial resources to support development initiatives such as building schools, clinics or housing for disadvantaged communities if he had long been concerned about the struggles of ordinary Namibians.
“Who was he before? To me, his actions seem like a form of revenge against the State,” Johannes said.
He further questioned why Amushelelo’s confrontation with the authorities intensified only after the State moved against his assets.
“There are many complexities involved in his activism. It’s questionable.”
Amushelelo, however, maintains that his entry into activism and politics was driven by frustration with Namibia’s governance and the continued suffering of ordinary citizens.
In an interview with Confidente, the outspoken social activist described himself primarily as an entrepreneur, saying circumstances had pushed him into the political arena.
“I am an entrepreneur by profession, an activist by conviction, and a revolutionary by principle,” he said.
He argued that Namibia should be among the easiest countries to govern successfully because of its relatively small population, abundant natural resources, land and economic potential.
“We have a relatively small population, vast natural resources, abundant land, and tremendous economic potential. Yet, 36 years after independence, millions of opportunities have been lost, and our people continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, inequality, and homelessness.”
Amushelelo attributed the country’s challenges to what he described as greed, incompetence, poor leadership and misplaced priorities rather than a shortage of resources.
He said many Namibians were willing to criticise government decisions on social media and radio platforms but were reluctant to confront injustice when doing so carried personal consequences.
“Some of us decided that complaining was no longer enough. We had to stand up, confront injustice, and demonstrate through our actions that ordinary citizens possess the power to challenge the status quo,” he said.
He maintained that his activism was not about securing political positions, titles or recognition but providing leadership where he believes it is lacking and defending the dignity of ordinary citizens.
Despite his reduced visibility in activities involving the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Amushelelo said he remained a member of the party.
“My reduced visibility at political demonstrations should not be mistaken for political surrender or ideological abandonment. Yes, I remain a member of NEFF,” he said.
He explained that his focus had broadened to include economic empowerment, land ownership and community development, while maintaining that his commitment to economic freedom and social justice remained unchanged.
Amushelelo also pointed to repeated arrests, detention and prosecution linked to his participation in public demonstrations as reasons he had reconsidered his approach to activism.
He said there had been instances where several people were arrested during the same demonstrations, but some secured bail while he remained in detention.
“These experiences have taught me an important lesson: a revolutionary must not only possess courage but also the wisdom to adapt his methods without abandoning his principles,” he said.
In October 2019, a court order led to the seizure of Amushelelo’s assets and the freezing of his bank accounts amid fraud allegations linked to his forex trading activities.
