SMS Of Friday 7 August 2009
* SOME HIV-positive mothers in rural areas are breastfeeding their babies knowingly, because they can’t afford formula milk. The Ministry of Health must make sure that all the poor HIV-positive mothers receive enough formula milk to feed their babies. Formula milk should be subsidised and tax exempted so that the poor can also afford it. This will save more innocent lives.
Food For Thought
* I DON’T understand our employers. When they are advertising their vacancies, they are only looking for years of experience. Some of us have just completed our tertiary studies but we are on the streets because we don’t have the experience for those years. Please do something.
Let’s go farming
* AGRIBANK gives loans to previously disadvantaged Namibians through their AA scheme. However they require a 10% deposit. How are we supposed to pay this deposit?
A Rose By Any Other Name
* THE Government should take measures to limit the salary packages of parastatals’ executives, and these packages should be tied to performance. Pay more for someone who can add more immediate value to the company. What are the so-called MVAF executives being paid millions for? For failing the company?
* CAN the Board of Directors the Public Service Commission or perhaps the Auditor General’s office explain how on earth they justify the bonus payment of N$328 805 to the MVA CEO. My goodness, some of us have to work for five years to earn that kind of money. Namibia please wake up before it’s too late.
* MOST of the Namibian parastatals are bankrupt, yet the top managers are paid millions of dollars in salaries and numerous perks. Is this type of corruption legal?
* MVA FUND BANKRUPT but the CEO received a bonus of N$328 805. Do it the Namibian way. Reward failure!
Politics
* SPYL has crossed the line once again. How can Clinton Swartbooi evaluate and sanction the Lands Minister’s action in the name of a Swapo branch? Did he seek the youth mandate? Really the arrogance of the SPYL towards the national leadership has gone too far. It is disgusting. Can’t they be disciplined?
* MR Witbooi, as a Swapo youth I support your statement on the Ongombo farm issue. But what about commenting on our own cadres? MVA, the Tecko group issue. I think it’s time we called each other to order. Our present GRN is really not youth friendly at all. Look at villages like Kamanjab, Aus Uis, Pungu, Otjinene, etc. With 120 million we could build fully equipped youth development centres or semi-vocational institutes. After 18 years we are still buying toilet paper from SA. Now just calculate how much we have wasted and allowed to be stolen from the state.
* PIECE of advice to the Minister of Environment and Tourism: Do not be intimidated by the SPYL. Let the ACC investigate the affairs of Namibia Wildlife Resorts before you transfer the assets. These are national assets, not SPYL or Swapo assets. Dear minister do your research first.
– Hana Nghitaunapo
* WHEN will the GRN stifle the proliferation of such self-enrichment? I think the ‘stance against corruption’ has failed utterly!
– MF William, Omashekediva
* SOMEONE compared oppression by a democratic government with that of an apartheid government (August 6 SMS page). And the news editor responded that the people were [reportedly] locked up for ignoring a court order. My response to you then is apartheid also relied on the law to further its ends. Just because there is a law (court order) does not make the State conduct legitimate.
– You have a valid point – up to a point! – News Editor
* IS it allowed to put Swapo flags in Government vehicles? What if I put my RDP flag in Government vehicles? Will I be fired for sabotage? Come on Swapo members, differentiate between party politics and government.
* RESETTLEMENT and Mr (Alfred) Angula: What about fairness in the development of this country? Why is the money for buying up land for a small group of people not being used to grant a free school education for all Namibians? That would be a benefit for our future and a fair one. I am sick and tired of this land issue that only leads to greater poverty for all. Owning a farm is an endless cash drain but that doesn’t enter the discussion so far! Get Namibia into an educated future. It will otherwise only concentrate on its past and that I don’t call a vision.
* RECALLING Nora Schimming-Chase from parliament the CoD has effectively laid the foundation for the party’s demise. A classic example of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
* HENK Mudge of RP is campaigning cheaply when demanding the unconditional release of the Caprivi treason suspects. He deliberately did not say how many black Namibians were murdered that fateful day. Sir, rephrase your demands, include the number of all Namibians who lost their lives that day. Listen to yourself now.
Bouquets And Brickbats
Father Bernhard Nordkamp
* A MOVING tribute by Dr Abisai Shejavali on late Father Bernhard Nordkamp. We thank Father Nordkamp for his role in our fight for freedom. He didn’t have to, but chose to contribute. Namibia is greatly indebted to him.
– Steven
* CONGRATULATIONS Dr Maria Fisch on your award of the German Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit. As a woman medical doctor who worked for the health of the people under very trying conditions in some of the most rural areas of Namibia for over 20 years, you are indeed a shining light and example of dedication and commitment to many of our Namibian health professionals!
* THANKS to FNCC for bringing us the wonderful Acoustic Africa show on Wednesday night! It was the best show I’ve seen for years! Keep up the good work!
* MR Elia Haufiku, thank you very much for establishing the Entrepreneurial Society at the Polytechnic. Namibia needs energetic youth like you.
* THANKS Professor Joseph Diescho for the excellent speech you delivered at Oshakati. I’m requesting everybody in the country to follow this advice especially our political leaders.
– Ester
* I AM a Swapo war veteran and I have received my money. And I want to thank me Ruusa Malulu, because if it was not for her, we could not have got this money. Viva, comrade Ruusa Viva!
– Kakulumbwati
* PLEASE Namibians, stop priding yourselves in saying Windhoek is the cleanest city in Africa. It is the cleanest in the world
* ‘WHEELS on One’ does not satisfy me. Reasons: 1. Presenter seems to be going through the motions, please show some enthusiasm. 2. Analyses of new cars only focus only on positive aspects. Please criticise a bit also for us to make informed choices. Take an example from ‘Top Car’ magazine. 3. Your interviewees respond in Afrikaans (e.g. Wednesday on tyres), but no translation was given. Do you really want to be understood by most viewers? I am tired of watching a half-baked programme.
* THE City of Windhoek should be allowed their party budget as they are the most professional “government” institute in this country. Their service is generally beyond compare and should be rewarded.
– Proud resident of the clean City of Windhoek
Reiter Statue
Rider on the move
* I’M a very concerned Namibian, don’t know for sure if our Government is really there for us. Why move the rider?
* THANK you GRN for demonstrating honest reconciliation: shifting the Reiterdenkmal.
City Fathers Please ...
* IT is very painful to see the City of Windhoek demolishing people’s shacks. But Elly Shipiki as property manager has ignored the council resolution about the (kerb crawl) issue of the Namundjebo Plaza. I hope council will address this at a very serious level. Men on the street will never acquire land because of guys like Shipiki. Auctioning erven is unfair because the have-nots are competing with the haves.
* CITY of Windhoek, why are the plants opposite Markhams & Gathemann building watered so much, sometimes twice daily for over hours. Is it us taxpayers who pay for this water bill?
Illegal until you are 18
* THE Police should close the clubs and bars that allow underage youths to drink at their places, I am tired of seeing drunk 12-year-olds.
– Sacherias Suurlemoen
General
* WE still have war in our free country. People are killed for their property. Blood is still flowing because of our own possessions. Until when?
* TO all Namibians especially the youth, I’m 31 and I thought I knew our history until I read these books: ‘Where Others Wavered’ (Sam Nujoma), ‘The Covert War’ (Peter Stiff), ‘Troubled Waters’ (Joseph Diescho), ‘The Contract Labour System’ (Ndeutala Hishongwa). Additional readings: any pre-1990 issue of The Namibian newspaper.
* WHY is there no organisation encouraging chefs in Namibia by giving us awards like musicians?
* WHY does The Namibian newspaper not write the news in Braille, even one page please?
– Rafael
* SOMETIMES we Namibians complain a bit too much. Like taking your kids to school with a Government car, is that really abuse? In principle it might be wrong, but practically? Please get real. Do we really expect an official to use a private car to drop kids off at school, come back home to fetch an official car and still make it to work on time? Corruption should not be tolerated, but I think our energy should be invested elsewhere.
– Osho
* WHY not a general law that all self-propelled vehicles used in public must have an insurance (liability / third party) when registered and re-registered? All of us pay anyway some kind of insurance to MVA while filling our tanks. Many of us pay double, already having insurance. Even a farm bakkie never used on public roads is paying into MVA. Fair? No need for MVA with a system used in many countries. And fuel prices would drop too.
– US Brane
* THERE is high rate of crime in Namibia due to alcohol misuse. Please stop or withdraw all special liquor licences.
Running The Show
Firefighter helicopter delivering
* HONOURABLE (Netumbo) Nandi-Ndaitwah, could you please buy fire-fighter helicopters? Imagine each and every year fires occur in the Omusati and Oshana regions.
– Eendungelo
* WHY can’t the Government do something to prevent the floods like build a reservoir and a dam where the floodwater will run straight into. I know it will cost billions of dollars but it is worth it because it will save us the billions of dollars we use on relief programmes and emergencies. The dam will then be used to water our dry nation.
* MINISTRY of Gender, I visited your offices the other day and saw this nicely rolled-up banner at the entrance. On it was written ‘Zero tolerance for gbv’ and I was wondering what gbv really stands for. Can you please help elaborate on that?
– Gender-based violence? – Newdesk
* CAN the Ministry of Finance, Receiver of Revenue, educate and inform the public servants on the need of submitting tax returns for assessment. As a public servant maybe I’m not alone, I feel like we are not informed about the importance of the tax returns, please educate the public.
In And From The Regions
* IT’S nearly exam time and schools, teachers and learners in Elim and Etayi circuits are left in darkness as the electricity was cut off by Nored today (Tuesday). Where should these schools duplicate their exam question papers? Imagine how costly is it to poor schools that depend on low school funds generated from 80% of pensioners! Can the Omusati Regional Education Director explain why the power cut off!
* IT is not for the village councillors to clean your town but all of you residents of Otavi.
* WE residents of Okatseidhi village in Tsandi constituency, we need an MTC network connection within our area.
– Taimi, a resident
* WE can’t watch NBC and TV Africa at Onyati in the North. Come to rescue us please.
Air pollution means dirty air
WE are suffering from air pollution at Tsumeb from 18h00 to 20h00.
– #|Gomeb
* WHY is it that the pharmacy, out-patient dept, x-ray dept, etc, at the Onandjokwe Hospital close during lunchtime while the staff members in those departments are so many. Can’t they relieve each other? It even happens during tea breaks. Please help us, we come from far villages for help because we are sick. Thank you.
* CENORED, the electricity rate has risen sharply. Research indicates that compared to other REDs, the price per unit is the highest. Why and what is going on? We are really starting to feel the impact. Be reasonable and rectify the situation.
* PEOPLE working in the Ministry of Home Affairs in Oshakati please be reminded that you are public servants, so talk to people very well and answer them politely. It costs you nothing. Particularly when dealing with those at birth certificate registration.
* KARAS councillors who found it “funny” that gay and lesbian people should have access to HIV-AIDS treatment and info, shame on you. Human rights are for all irrespective of your sexual orientation. The NGO you vilify has done more for people in Karas than you would ever have done in your terms. Print this and help us to fight homophobia in Namibia.
* PLEASE we want speed humps on the road from ABC in Oluno up to the robots next to Onguta complex because many people have been bumped due to speeding on that road.
– Fritz Kangunga
Rest in Peace
Vice President Joseph Msika (centre)
* REST in peace Comrade Joseph Msika, Zimbabwe Vice President. You were a true hero, you united Ndebeles and Shonas. Son of the soil, rest in peace.
– Baloyi
* IN loving memory of a man who wrote our first song ‘Our Father’, we the Bethel Parish YAM would like to extend our sympathy to the family of Pastor Jarrow Tsamaseb. Let our Heavenly Father embrace you in the loss of our beloved father, brother and friend. May his soul rest in internal peace.
– Bethel YAM
Service Please
* SPAR (Khomasdal) Shoprite, please sell low-fat fresh milk. We want to slim, some have high cholesterol. Even people with diabetes and hypertension need low-fat or fat-free milk.
– Hilya
* WHY are all FNB’s ATMs not working in Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa? It’s really depressing. I came from Windhoek to work here but ever since I got here (August 2), the ATMs are out of order.
– Andy
* OSHAKATI Drycleaners Express, the conditions you set up on your cash invoice in English and Oshiwambo differ. The English ones are better.
Labour Issues
* WELL done Evilastus Kaaronda, SG of NUNW, for speaking out loud against Nevonga and Dingara’s way of [allegedly] buttering their slices on both sides! They need to take some decisions as to which side of the fence they belong to, as soon as possible! Whose interests are they serving anyway? Now we can see where their hands are! They must pay the affiliation fees as soon as possible and not keep it as a ransom.
– Lite Rite
Lost And Found
* I FOUND the ID of Ndapewawoshali Kaudimomunhu. She can contact me at 081-286-3742.
* PLEASE fellow Namibians, we lost our brother His name is Godwin King. His father is Edward Kauhangenge. Anyone who knows them please call: 081-203-8539.
* THE passport of Gabriel Heita Victory has been found. Call 081-257-1329.
* I AM Ben Bogosi and have lost my documents and my room keys. I am requesting anyone who has found them to please call 081-314-6537. I will appreciate it a lot.
* I PICKED up the ID card and Standard Bank debit card for Haimbodi Fillemon Shilombwelwa. You can call me on 081-311-6295.
Disconnections
* CAN the NBC conduct a mini ‘workshop’ or some of their presenters on how they read the time, for example: “48 minutes past three”. It’s really a disgrace to the nation.
* NBC, please introduce cellphone numbers for call-in programmes. Callers often run out of credit during conversations. NBC can even negotiate better rates for the callers.
* PLEASE NBC extend your airwaves to Helao Nafidi Town Council. We have the problem of eye complaints due to the poor NBC TV in our area. We want your good office to provide us an aerial nearby.
* DIRECTOR of NBC please re-schedule ‘Wataguana’. It plays every afternoon and some evenings. We were happy with the old system. Let ‘Wataguana’ play once a week.
* MTC, we are no longer enjoying your network. Some people are insulting and threatening us with new Tango numbers. Outapi mobile home cannot trace the culprit. Where else can we get help?