Food For Thought

* TWO million people and the largest percentage of them are poor. What's the main reason? Writing off bills once will not solve the problem. Create employment and make ways for everyone to survive and to support themselves. And taking out people from alcoholism and giving them a motivation to live better will solve many problems.

Armed Response

* ARE former SWATF and Koevoet soldiers not included in the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs? The NDF was formed by Plan, SWATF and Koevoet under national reconciliation. The N$36 million was divided among all former combatants and I don't think the Swapo-led government is doing the right thing to exclude SWATF and Koevoet in the new Ministry. Please consider this issue before the bill is amended. We don't want another Kenya.

* MY concern is about Police salaries. When are you going to consider the salaries of the Namibian Police? President Pohamba, please do something - Muchimba

* WE the Police officers at the Office of the Prime Minister, we suffer too much because we do not speak a certain language. Promotions go only to the same people. Please we want the Minister of Safety to look into this matter.

From The Regions

* IN the Hardap Region and anywhere in Namibia people are talking about ancestral land. What about the Kai//Khaun clan whose ancestral land was given away by Captain Kooper as he had agreed that people from elsewhere should be resettled at surrounding farms, whilst the ordinary people are in need of farming land?

* NDILULA we want a bridge connecting Omundudu and Endola * IN the Ohangwena Region: Stop writing to Mr Ndilula in the newspaper, when you can go to his office and tell him your problems. Ndilula is a good man, I am sure that he will be more than happy to help and correct what is wrong. Please visit his office and say your say.

* WILL our Swapo Government respond to the cries of its people with regard to the building of a school hostel at the Sangwali Senior Secondary School, and the Linyanti-Sangwali gravel road? These issues are long overdue.

* SWAKOPMUND Town Council, remember they'll first put up the hitch-hiking spot before the next elections. - Xale

* They come hungry and thirsty from the North to the Karas Region and call us 'Koangaras', which means "today they have, tomorrow they have nothing".

Consumed By Service

* DEAR Editor, is there a consumer council in Namibia? A certain Namibian shopping chain is robbing people .You see one price on their shelves but at the till they make you pay a different and higher price. They even refuse to refund you the difference. Can someone see to it that this practice stops.

* THE banks should be concerned about house prices which are too high.

* THE service at FNB Wernhil is non-existent. We stand in queues for an hour only to hear that the bank is offline - AGAIN! People cut the line and walk up to a teller and they are simply helped without being told to get in the queue. Month-end is terrible. The commercial teller sign can be removed because it's not being used! Please step up to the plate FNB.

* I'M very disappointed at the way the Namibian Music Awards, held on May 3, were organised. The only thing that made the event interesting were the performances by Uno Boy, Max, Diva Deon and Fresh family. It was really a total disaster. No wonder it was mostly attended by a few people especially the 'chikaputes'. We paid N$120 to be seated in the VIP seats but we ended up sitting with people who paid N$50. There was no control at all regarding the seats. No special treatment was given to those who forked out their hardcore cash. I suggest that Nomvula should watch more of our neighbouring country - SA to get a clue on how to organise such an event.

Politics In General

* LEAVE the RDP and its supporters alone. At least they have vision and aim is to alleviate poverty as soon as possible.

* I AM surprised that the new political party, the RDP, has established its headquarters in a residential area without obtaining our consent in the neighbourhood. City of Windhoek - on what basis did you give the office rights?

* POLITICS divides the people, empty promises, self-enriching, biggest racists. Why vote? Just love your neighbour and do good! - Rasta

* SWAPO's official mandate of liberating Namibia is over, that's why we joined the RDP. The name is now Namibia not SWA. Rename the party to reflect reality on the ground

* A DISABLED former member of the National Council is left out destitute after his term expired, yet a controversial former Governor gets appointed while the disabled one is left in the cold.

* ARE the parents of learners attending school at Etalaleko demonstrating because of their kids' education, or is it politically motivated?

* THE Ongwediva CoD branch chairman fully supports the RDP court action vis a vis the Omuthiya election and the unfair dismissal of Fillemon Kanime, ECN director. Let Swapo respect the rule of law. This is Nam not Zim. - Abisai Heita, CoD branch chairman Ongwediva

* WE need young Namibian politicians who have respect for their elders. It does not mean anything to us to talk and use bad words towards our former leaders. Please let them rest in peace

* RDP you will not be the ruling party only Swapo. I thank you.

* SUGGESTION to all political parties in Namibia. When organising political rallies in town, please make them at the stadium and not in the location (kambashus), in order for the police to perform their duties effectively. Especially Swapo and RDP. - From Kamushila, Windhoek

* IT'S sad that Swapo allows Elijah Ngurare to make nonsensical, ignorant and inconsiderate comments unabatedly. This stance seems to reflect that this is also Swapo's view. It is my opinion that Ngurare is too old to be classified as youth, coming into the equation with a struggle mentality. SPYL should be led by younger, intelligent, fresh minds.

NBC

* NBC when are we going to hear Rukavango station all over the country? Why are other stations available everywhere? Especially Otjiwarongo. Please do something.

* PENDUKA is boring these days, so stop interviewing artists instead of letting them play their music. NBC TV is dead we support One Africa Television.

* CHICHI, if you are determined to support Sam Nujoma, good for you. But that's not what l pay my TV licence for. You can definitely enjoy your Ndilimani music at home, not on our national radio. If NBC is now a party thing tell us.

Thanks!

* I WOULD like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Lazarus Shinyemba Ipangelwa Foundation as well as the tutors who were involved, for guiding us to realising our dreams, through hard work in our education. I hope you will continue inspiring young people out there. - Etuhole, Rican High School

* SPCA, you deserve the Ramatex grounds free of charge. I and many others hope that the Government and City of Windhoek grant you your application. Thanks for your great work!

* YOU are the paper of the masses. Viva! Thanks for reprinting the news about RDP in English. It's worth having you around. Ramatex

* RAMATEX bankrupt? Oh please, they really think we are idiots!

* WELL dear Namibian Government who looks after us so well they hand out jobs to the Asians, as we all have work, explain Ramatex to us! Why are you so quiet?

Zimbabwe

* ONLY the intellectually challenged still blame the West for Zimbabwe's woes

* THE Namibian news editor: What do you mean by saying you are 'biased' in the interests of Zimbabweans? Tell the world you are in favour of the West, that is the fact. Mr Mugabe is trying to rescue and save the land for Africans not for imperialists. - Steven - As the saying goes, seems there are none so blind as those who will not see. - News Editor

* COMRADE David Kambala, concerning your SMS congratulating Elijah Ngurare on his comments about Zimbabwe, are you blind? You were crying all those years, when did you forget? Shame on you, comrade. - Concerned citizen

* THE Omuthiya election saga is only the tip of the iceberg. With (Victor) Tonchi at the helm, next year's election will be a mess judging from his comments on Zimbabwe.

General

* DEAR fellow people of the world. We live in a world of killer AIDS, possibly man made. Let us set up a global AIDS programme.

* MINISTRY of Education, our children are starving in Cuba. When are they getting their allowances?

* CAN the Ministry of Labour notify us on the ban on labour hire companies.

* WE are really suffering, please GRN pay us. We from regional education offices are underpaid. Even if you want to further your studies you can't, because how will you survive. GRN do something about increasing our pay.

* THE NamPort management and board of directors should think of a way to retain their staff in the marine department. Sums of money were expended in training marine pilots and engineers, but until now these positions (pilots) are still occupied by Russian nationals. Revise your remuneration packages for the marine professionals to stop the exodus. Or are the salary issues a tactical delay until the posts are filled by people the management have in mind?

* IT seems Chinese people are encouraged, paid and financially supported by the Chinese government to migrate to Africa to open shops, strengthening trade links - because they import their goods solely from China - and keep Africa dependent on China. In so doing, Africa will be held captive by this economic giant. Namibia, open your eyes. I'm not preaching Chinese-phobia, but it seems that China is busy invading Africa with questionable motives.

* WHAT is the meaning of the term 'imperialist'? Is it a term exclusively applicable to Europeans as we are made to believe? Under what circumstances can an African be called an imperialist? - Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonisation, use of military force, or other means. And no, it is not a term that applies exclusively to Europeans. - News Editor

* PRESIDENT Pohamba, the nation is crying over the high tax on salaries as well basic commodities, goods are becoming more expensive from day to day. The recent salary increase for civil servants is no match for this situation. Why won't our leaders listen and change. They only need us when they want to go back to office, please the nation wants a listening leader who can listen to their problems.

* THE Deputy Minister of Justice Utoni Nujoma claims the ministry is short of 68 magistrates countrywide. This is surprising because as a law graduate, I have been without a job for five months. The same applies to the office of the Prosecutor General, which is failing to employ dozens of law graduates each year. Yet they are complaining that there's an acute shortages of prosecutors. I therefore appeal for a look into this matter seriously.

* DOGG! Congrats again! And I think now you are at more than a master level. Well done, man! - Alu Valdo

Letters Of The Last 48 Hours

•  SMSes Of The Day : Monday