Worthy Investment

ALLOW me space in the people’s paper to participate in this very important discussion of foreign investor/investment as outlined by T Itembu and K Basson, The Namibian 12 October.

Unless we have lost the meaning of the word ‘investment’ then we may believe we are on the right track towards achieving our national development. ‘Investment’ has a beautiful meaning but as soon as we add the word ‘foreign’ before it, then it is easy to understand why such investment is not necessarily beneficial to Namibia.
Does Minister Hage Geingob really think the majority of Namibians will benefit from these investments? Of course, he will tell us of employment creation, tax and so on, but for how long has this not been happening with little benefit for our people?
Our friendship with foreigners is totally based on what we have for them and not what they have for us! If foreigners are really eager to help and walk with us, then they should first set up training institutions to train us how to deal with these resources, to achieve what they have achieved in their countries.
Minister Geingob, be informed that  it is the same over-friendliness which has already spoiled our economy with the so-called Chinese investors.
 What they are doing here was supposed to be the daily business of our people who did not get opportunities to study or get trained for something else.
One can really see that our politicians have now become the country’s sales reps, rushing to get foreign investors and give them benefits ahead of our own people simply because, foreigners are coming with ready cash.
I would call for debates or even a national conference regarding this issue as it touches the future of everyone.

Paulus Ishitile
Windhoek

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