Food For Thought

* DR Niikondo, what you said on NBC Oshiwambo on Tuesday is a true fact. Continue telling those who want to disturb peace that peace cost us a lot of human material and unexplainable difficulties. Their blood waters our freedom. You are a hero Niikondo.

* IT is so funny how Namibians complain about the Government not doing anything to help the people and the way they spend on their kids matric farewell. How can you spend N$5 000 on a one-night thing and your child will disappoint you with 10 points in the matric final exam. Parents, let us be realistic. Educate your children. Don't try to give what you don't have. Life is so expensive. Discipline them the way you were disciplined by your parents, otherwise tomorrow they will turn against you.

General

* MR Shangheta [National Councillor] should resign immediately. He is in a position of leadership. Poaching is hardly the example we want to see our leaders setting. Shame on him.

* GOVERNMENT please hear the plea of your workers, the N$198 we get for transport caters for 12 days in a month because every day the taxi fare is N$16 to and from work.

* MAY I please get it clear! Taxis in Oshakati are charging N$8. Since when was that implemented? Please stop robbing the nation.

* NEW model GRN cars are being driven around the country. Yet they say there is no money and trainee teachers' loans are not yet approved. Is that fair?

* HOW can the Prime Minister advocate that the youth should economically liberate the country if he delays the implementation of empowering legislation?

* DID they ever find the ship that disappeared from the port of Walvis Bay?

* HOW will all residents including the less fortunate benefit by selling erf 2882 adjacent to Avis Dam to a private developer to build a hotel? - The Avis Dam area makes a very beautiful sight but has no drawing power for Windhoekers to visit. In order to make the area more inviting to the broader section of the Windhoek population, a fast-food outlet might provide that drawing power to everyone around the City. The initiative will also provide job opportunities and therefore benefit the less fortunate. We trust that this answers your question. For further clarity, kindly do not hesitate to contact the City's Public Relations Office at 290 2382. - Liz Sibindi, Public Relations, City of Windhoek

* I AGREE with the SMS about girls dating and sleeping with men for their money, cars, etc. I want to add that single women and school girls should stay away from married men they know. They are sleeping with those men, and in this way they are infecting each other because when they are drunk, they don't think straight. Please women get your own man and leave other women's men alone. Have some respect for yourself and for your bodies.

Politics In General

* [ENVIRONMENT] Minister [Netumbo] Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke out against tribalism, but why is it that only the north of our country is being developed? But areas such as the Aminuis district are being ignored, areas such as the Maltahoehe district too, to name a few. So is this a fair speech from the Minister? I doubt it..

* JERRY Ekandjo be careful with your hate speech. Look at Paulus Kapia, where is he today? Things can change over time. What is happening in Zimbabwe is what you are trying to bring in our Namibia today. I'm sure there are some of your own children who don't like the way you are talking, but because they're under your support there is unfortunately nothing they can do. Behave Mr Ekandjo and don't try to destroy our nation with your hate speech.

* JERRY (Ekandjo) is very open and honest. He just says what the rest of Swapo think. It's very sad that such a sort of speaking is paid in fact very heavily by taxpayers.

* THE hate speeches, the name calling, and the dangerous misinformation by the likes of (Jerry) Ekandjo and (Elijah) Ngurare are all reminiscent of the period preceding the Lubango dungeons. It could be much worse this time around.

* I'M not convinced by the attendance numbers Swapo preaches, the fact is over half of the people are kids between eight and 15 years. I'M a pure Namibian and a full Swapo member. Namibians, let's be realistic and tell the nation the truth. I've visited Ongwediva Trade Fair, I was very disappointed to realise that at the Office of the President's stand there are two pictures. One for the current President and one for the former President. Is President Sam Nujoma still part of the President's office? Let's not mislead and confuse the nation on who is the President. We need to genuinely educate our people for the true Namibian history. Remember, actions talk louder than words.

* I WOULD like to find out why Swapo Party does not recognise prisoners of war the same? Swapo only recognises those who were on Robben Island, they are the most important prisoners of war in Swapo. What about the others? Those who were fighting very seriously with the South African forces every here and there. They are not recognised. Why? - Mkilinga

* MARCH 21 and August 26 and other days are supposed to be national, but they are rather Swapo campaign days because Swapo uses these national days to campaign, insult other political parties' leaders and call others names. They must stop wearing Swapo's colours during national days as these are for the whole nation. If you continue, blame yourself for low attendance. - Abiatar Atshikuni

Heroes' Day

* TO all comrades, heroes and heroines of Namibia wishing you a blessed Heroes' Day on August 26. We all won't forget what happened on August 26 1966 because we all lost our loved ones during the struggle. Long live the people of Namibia.

* TODAY we pay tribute, and honour our fallen heroes with great respect. Who is your hero today? Someone also gave His life, shed His blood for you, and rose from death so that you can live abundantly! His name is Jesus! Be a hero for many lost souls there outside. Blessed Heroes' Day to the entire Namibian nation! - Veronica de Klerk, WAD

Drug Concerns

* AIR Namibia: If it's true that the cabin attendant was smuggling drugs then Air Namibia should introduce compulsory testing and random searches.

* WILL the Namibian drug squad be liaising with their SA counterparts to investigate who the cocaine was destined for in Namibia? It is time the dealers are rounded up.

Education

* [ALLEGED] CORRUPTION in Ohangwena circuit. We Ohangwena teachers are tired. All promotion posts are going to family, friends, relatives or people from one individual's home village. Please Mr (Paulus) Noa come to investigate.

* THE Ministry of Education Sports Day was supposed to be for non-teaching staff, not for people from other ministries, unemployed youth and players from soccer and netball teams who don't work for the MoE. The idea was to use the top part of the payslip (for identification) and it was good. Why did organisers in Kunene not follow the decision taken? Please next time, play it fair. After all it is not about winning only but keeping the sporting spirit between the regions, not cheating for a win.

Bouquets And Brickbats

* BRAVO to the Ministry of Education for its responses to people's views and questions! Other companies, ministries, parastatals and individuals should follow suit by answering to the nation's concerns, else there is no point in sending these SMSes. Bravo also to The Namibian for creating the space in the daily newspaper and 'telling like it is'. - Mrs H

* TO the two ladies from the Cat Protection Society who rescued our cat from the wall so early in the morning, thank you. You are true to your cause, thank you.

* HOW does [the Ministry of] Trade and Industry justify their office being closed for two hours on a week day for admin work and lunch? The GRN is killing this country's economy.

* WELL done Mr Bwalya of Opuwo State Hospital. I hope that the other hospitals follow suit.

* NAMIBIAN Wildlife Resorts should do something about the condition of the roads inside the parks. They have no problem taking [from us] - by raising prices to the extent that ordinary Namibians can't afford their own parks - but they don't like giving. Stop being so greedy. - MC

Sporting

* WHEN will the referees be paid for the last two games that were played before the league ended? I am calling the ACC to the Namibia Premier League and Namibia Football Association offices. Please do something.

* I WANT to know why Okahandja football is not in NFA plans? Why can teams not play a sub league for the second division and go for play-offs?

* WHY can't the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration not appoint more cleaners at Ariamsvlei? The toilets are stinking.

In And From The Regions

* I AM a concerned inhabitant of Oshilulu in Ongandjera living very close to water point MU/SS 251. The people at that water point are dying of thirst. That water point is not yet open. We don't know what the problem is. We need water, that is why we have paid for it. Please let them tell us, Rural Water Supply, please tell us!

* I APPLIED for a PR/N post in Rundu Inter Hospital in July 2007, and was called for an interview in September 2007. I had no reply until now, August 2008. I approached the hospital and was told that the post was not advertised, it was a computer error. Now in August 2008 the same post has been advertised again.

NBC Must Big Up!

* WHAT is wrong [Bob] Kandetu [Director General of the NBC]? It's time for Big Brother 3 but we without DStv will miss it. Please do something, we need it on NBC. - Kachele

Disconnections

* I'M now frustrated! Since August 17 there has been no signal of the NBC Damara Nama radio service at Rehoboth. After numerous complaints, nothing has been done! We are still in darkness! What is going on? Please help!

* NBC are you aware that viewers experience no picture every two minutes? Fix it! We pay licences!

* MTC when it comes to 100 free SMSes for Tango customers, once you exceed MTC takes up your credit. Please they should send us a notification that free SMSes are finished.

* CHAT Show/Open line programmes: My suggestion is for NBC to do away with these programmes the way they did with the 'Strange But True' programme that was moderated by Ndeshi Hangula in the early nineties. These two programmes have become a nuisance to right-thinking Namibians. They've become a platform for the stubborn and undisciplined self-styled "carers" for Namibians. Close them down, please.

* When is the NBC management going to respond to our query regarding connections at Okaukuejo? We own TV's but no reception unless connected to DStv. Last year you sent one of your staff from Oshakati for a licence payment investigation. How could you expect us to pay for licences if there is no reception? Please hear our plea and do something for us, we are starving for news and other recreational and educational programmes for our children. Mrs H

Letters Of The Last 48 Hours

•  SMS Of The Day : Wednesday
•  SMS Of The Day : Tuesday