Tourism Sector Is Devalued
IS it not ironic that the front of page of the Friday, 23 July 2010 edition of Die Republikein should feature both the financial woes of the NWR and the debacles of the South African tour guides?
It seems inconceivable that the tourist industry should be treated as it has been, considering the contribution it makes to the national economy!
It beggars description that people in high places can be so short-sighted! Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs has never been an option. So, why does the Namibian government think it can?
The problem is that there is a growing neo-nationalism impacting at the political level and every cadre or aspirant politician wants to be seen to be supporting an appropriate campaign. Shooting themselves in the foot seems to be a small price to pay, it seems. For the elites in the corridors of power, the tourism sector is of little interest.
The benefits that ordinary citizens derive from the sector seem to be offset by all the perks and privileges that officials of the state enjoy. Why should they concern themselves about a handful of tour guides?
The real issue, however, is not the few South African tour guides, who need work permits to ply their trade across the entire southern African region, but the hundreds, if not thousands of Namibians who will be deprived of decent and legal benefits from the tourism sector.
Does it matter to the decision makers? Seems not! The recent idiocy regarding the export of livestock to South Africa is another example of official economic bungling.
Even the Prime Minister’s request for added value initiatives relative to semi-precious stones seems at odds with the fact that Namibia’s small population and economy cannot compete with larger economies in that sector.
How is the local diamond-cutting industry doing relative to its long-standing competitors in the Netherlands, and now also India, with which Namibia could never hope to compete?
The economies of scale seem to be a lost concept for the so-called local ‘experts’. What is needed is for a few educated, and qualified cool heads, well versed in matters related to growing GDP, in a rational and logical manner, to get together and to put together a meaningful roadmap for Namibian prosperity.
Leaving it to the politicians is the biggest mistake this country can possibly make. In effect, we do not really have politicians; we have opportunists masquerading as representatives of the people.
The ethos of the liberation struggle has been completely lost in the process.
Concerned Namibian
Via e-mail