Reflections By Civil Society on The 15 Years of Liberation

By: SANDI TJARONDA

MARKING Namibia's 15th anniversary of Independence on Monday, the civil society conveys its gratitude to outgoing President Sam Nujoma and his Government for the tireless efforts in upholding and maintaining peace, stability and democracy in the Republic.

It is undoubtedly true that peace forms the integral part of

democracy and is a prerequisite for socio-economic and human

resource development.

It was through that prevailing and enabling environment that

citizens managed to register personal and collective achievement

toward improving their quality of life.

 

Over the last 15 years, civil society has been involved in the

creation of a just society for all by redressing the past social

and economic imbalances, which are a compounding factor for poverty

and the HIV-AIDS pandemic.

 

Civil society has participated in raising the banner of humanity

by engaging Government machineries in protecting human rights and

ensuring that the fundamental rights of individual citizens as

constitutionally guaranteed, are not infringed upon.

 

Civil society has collaborated with Government and donor

partners to ensure improved service delivery to the populace,

particularly rural populations some of whom remain vulnerable due

to lack of basic infrastructure and social amenities.

 

The sector remains committed and ready to positively work with

the incoming government in continuing to wage war against social

and economic injustices and prejudice.

 

THE CHALLENGES However, while applaudable efforts have been

recorded, there are still outstanding challenges that demand our

concerted efforts to address with particular reference to rural

development and human capital formation.

 

Our country has abundant natural resources, which must be

exploited for the benefit of indigenous citizens.

 

Our country can do better, particularly in the area of prudence

and focussed resource utilisation.

 

We need to intensify efforts to move away from being a raw

material producer to a final product producer to control the

quality and the prices of domestic goods.

 

We further propose that more attention be placed in the

following areas to realise total achievement of national goals such

NDP2 and Vision 2030; * Land reform * Human rights * Gender

equality * Education reform * Good governance - Affordability of

basic services for citizens, particularly water - Effective human

security through effective legislative and institutional measures

to bring down the wave crime and violence against women and

children - Uprooting corruption in our society through effective

punitive measure that makes corruption a high-risk venture.

 

In conclusion, civil society takes this opportunity to welcome

the incoming President Hifikepunye Pohamba and his government.

 

Under the umbrella of Nangof, civil society commits itself to

contribute meaningfully to the development, human security and

stability of the country.

 

We further commit ourselves to assist Government to design a

strategy to implement National Development Plan.

 

It is in our interest as citizens to see to it that the

Government adheres and upholds treaties it ratifies.

 

* Sandi Tjaronda is the Chairperson of Nangof

 

It was through that prevailing and enabling environment that

citizens managed to register personal and collective achievement

toward improving their quality of life.Over the last 15 years,

civil society has been involved in the creation of a just society

for all by redressing the past social and economic imbalances,

which are a compounding factor for poverty and the HIV-AIDS

pandemic.Civil society has participated in raising the banner of

humanity by engaging Government machineries in protecting human

rights and ensuring that the fundamental rights of individual

citizens as constitutionally guaranteed, are not infringed

upon.Civil society has collaborated with Government and donor

partners to ensure improved service delivery to the populace,

particularly rural populations some of whom remain vulnerable due

to lack of basic infrastructure and social amenities.The sector

remains committed and ready to positively work with the incoming

government in continuing to wage war against social and economic

injustices and prejudice. THE CHALLENGES However, while applaudable

efforts have been recorded, there are still outstanding challenges

that demand our concerted efforts to address with particular

reference to rural development and human capital formation.Our

country has abundant natural resources, which must be exploited for

the benefit of indigenous citizens.Our country can do better,

particularly in the area of prudence and focussed resource

utilisation.We need to intensify efforts to move away from being a

raw material producer to a final product producer to control the

quality and the prices of domestic goods. We further propose that

more attention be placed in the following areas to realise total

achievement of national goals such NDP2 and Vision 2030; * Land

reform * Human rights * Gender equality * Education reform * Good

governance - Affordability of basic services for citizens,

particularly water - Effective human security through effective

legislative and institutional measures to bring down the wave crime

and violence against women and children - Uprooting corruption in

our society through effective punitive measure that makes

corruption a high-risk venture. In conclusion, civil society takes

this opportunity to welcome the incoming President Hifikepunye

Pohamba and his government.Under the umbrella of Nangof, civil

society commits itself to contribute meaningfully to the

development, human security and stability of the country. We

further commit ourselves to assist Government to design a strategy

to implement National Development Plan.It is in our interest as

citizens to see to it that the Government adheres and upholds

treaties it ratifies. * Sandi Tjaronda is the Chairperson of Nangof

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