SMSes for Wed 11 Feb 09
* I AM very concerned about political violence in our country. So I propose that all churches and peace-loving Namibians organise many prayer conferences countrywide and ask God for peace, for an end to this chaos. We need to live in peace as brothers and sisters despite our political differences. Let us start promoting peace and bury hatred among ourselves. We shouldn’t let the devil break us apart. Nothing is impossible in His name! – Ileni, Windhoek
* I OBSERVE that countries like the USA and I’m sure we’ll also see in today’s Israeli election, Israel being one of the technologically most advanced countries, they use high-tech computerised ballot boxes. The election results are computed within seconds of the last vote and can be announced the same day. Why can’t we ask them to donate such machines to Namibia? It will save time spent in queues and the usual post-election drama.
Food For Thought
* TEACHERS in politics. Politicians must think twice about how they could allow a teacher to be a councillor or a mayor? These are busy positions we are talking about. If the Education Ministry is honest about the future of our children they must do something. Teachers must choose which field do they want to be in.
* IMPORTING Chinese workers for the multimillion construction work will take jobs from hundreds of Namibians. If this is allowed because “they cannot work with African workers since they have a different culture” it would be in violation of the Constitution. Namibians have embraced unity in diversity and built post-independent Namibia in that spirit.
Democracy Rules
* DOES The Namibian apply restrictions on fundamental freedoms implicit in the Constitution (Art.21.1a & b and mindful of sub-article 2) despite the nature of your business? Why did you not publish my SMS sent last week Wednesday? Or do I have a differing opinion to yours. I opined on a sensitive current affairs issue of public interest, for how long will you censor it? My SMS read as follow: The use of figuratives, metaphors, idioms, symbols, allegories and analogies should apply in our political diction because a democracy like ours guarantees us to ‘think out of the box’ and freely express ourselves. It is childish to sweat over things like ‘Judas Iscariot’, ‘cutting tails’, ‘barking up wrong trees’, etc, which all political parties have uttered in the past. Our selective or uninformed interpretation ridicules us when trying to make sense of them. So, public life carries with it a little inconvenience in democracy, try it if you dare! – Ipinge, Ongwediva – There is no censorship. There never has been. We repeat that we welcome all opinions, but it’s impossible to accommodate every SMS on every issue every day. - Newsdesk
* WHAT happened to freedom of movement and speech? How can Police offers prevent demonstrators from marching? Is that democracy? – If permission has not been obtained for a march or the law is being broken during a legal march, or there is a threat of violence, the Police are mandated to follow certain courses of action. – Newsdesk
* THE principal of Khomas High School has taken it upon himself to introduce a ‘no cellphone on school premises’ rule, in terms of which all students are simultaneously searched for any cellphones. This is enforced by the LRC members who would then confiscate the phone and only upon payment of N$50, return it to the pupil. Although one has to understand the frustration of the principal and staff, it is debatable whether these arbitrary searches during school hours aren’t in conflict with the right to privacy, (Article 13 of the Constitution) or whether it isn’t a cheap tactic to raise income for the school. Only a Police official or a peace officer can execute a search if he has reasonable grounds to believe that it is necessary, in the absence of a search warrant. Similarly, one also waives this right when entering private property for example when security officials search customers in supermarkets.
Politics
* CAN someone please tell me which law gives the politicians the right to remain in office after the set retirement age of 65 years? Can’t anyone above this age just retire so that our youth can also be accommodated? Please. We thank them in advance for their dedicated service and wish them a well-deserved rest.
* MAGRETH Mensah, as a Central Committee member, is supposed to know better. What the (Swapo) President (President Hifikepunye Pohamba) said in December is that no party issues should be discussed in public.
* THERE needs to be more openness in discussing political issues. Swapo is supposed to be the party of the people. Let the people in! Let them talk, let them make their views heard. Transparency must rule, whether it’s related to party political or government. Or is Swapo only for the few in positions of power. If there’s nothing to hide, open discussion should be welcomed.
* IN Namibia our ministers are being changed from one ministry to another. Do these ministers have the qualifications for each and every ministry? That’s why Namibia is not going anywhere brothers and sisters.
In And From the Regions
* DID Government conduct income research among the residents of Omuthiya before plots were offered for auction? Stop abusing ordinary people’s rights.
* OSHAKATI Town Council. Please ensure water supply especially in the mornings when people are getting ready for work! Water supply is essential! Do something about it!
* WE parents at Oshilungi near Onankali need electricity at Oshilungi School so the computers and Internet can work. We also need a tarred or gravel road that is well maintained. Please do something councillors. We are a neglected community.
Education
* WHY is the Ministry of Education sending us letters to pay back our study loans when they did not employ us? – Disappointed Graduate from Zimbabwe
* PLEASE Windhoek College of Education are you not feeling pity for your senior students? They are seriously suffering due to accommodation. Why can’t you just let them settle in the ladies’ hall? As long as they are buying their own mattress! Since they have suffered last year. Think about it in the name of Jesus and god will bless you!
* IOL in Ongwediva is not giving students B Ed honours degree assignments on time. Exam scripts get lost. Please improve. We are suffering
* PLEASE Minister of Education do something about textbooks especially for Grade 10. Parents are told to buy textbooks for their children. I fail to understand why we pay for school funds while there are no textbooks in schools. Does this means free education?
Health Matters
* PLEASE Mr Minister of Health follow up for us the building of Otjituuo clinic and nurses’ houses which have been left incomplete since August 2008. – Concerned Community Member
* PLEASE MoHSS you can really do something about smoking in private places. It will definitely benefit our health, especially our babies.
* HEALTH contract workers: If their services are needed, there is no way working around Section 128. Be exemplary to labour-hire companies, the nation at large and employ them permanently. You made the law, now respect it. – Richard Madi, Gobabis
* SECTION 128 must be over-ruled! We need every health worker we can get in the battle against HIV and AIDS!
Conservation
* NAMIBIA v Japan, with regard to conservation. Namibia, a relatively poor nation, has saved a number of stranded dolphins, a very good job as far as conservation is concerned. On the other hand Japan, a richer nation in comparison to Namibia, is killing a thousand whales every year for so-called “scientific research”. I am not too sure how that research helps conservation.
Bouquets And Brickbats
* STOP dreaming. Share the dawn of opportunity with your Sperrgebiet launch. Open forever and never to be forbidden land ever again. Every stone and sand grain called for this day. Well done Hon Min (Netumbo) Ndeitwah, MET, NNF, SKEP, SPAN, Namdeb and all other players.
* WHY must we invite the NBC TV to Lüderitz to drink and party, then do a two-minute job. Why can’t we have our own office?
n CONGRATULATIONS parents, learners, teachers, management and principal for well-deserved and outstanding Grade 10 and Grade 12 2008 year end results. God shall bless you evermore. – Lüderitz High School board
General
* I AM a law-abiding resident of Windhoek, but the noise from the blue tent in Clemens Kapuuo Street will turn me into a ruthless thug if the City of Windhoek and those selfish pastors and their church do not do anything about it. Stop the noise or leave!
* YO YO History. Can you please tell us about the anaconda’s history in Friday’s paper especially on page 24. – We’ll do our best to oblige you. Keep watching!! – News Editor
* I WOULD like anybody to give us an answer. About three years ago 95 Namibians were given medals of honour by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. Now almost 10 of those have died without receiving any benefits. What is the use of getting medals if there are no benefits? – M
* SPCA. In 2007 I bought a puppy for N$500 from the SPCA in Windhoek. It was then stolen and never seen again. The SPCA has been notified. If they really have many dogs and cats why can’t they reduce the price so that those interested can get one or two? The price is too high. I really want two dogs and a cat.
* THE only solution to the large numbers of unwanted cats and dogs is to have free sterilisation clinics. Poor people cannot afford even the SPCA’s spaying fee. Can’t the private sector help the SPCA to fund a free spaying clinic or campaign under their social responsibility projects?
* SOME Government cleaners don’t clean. What they do is just empty dustbins every morning and sit till five to go home. If you ask them here to clean, there is a big fight.
Labour Issues
* DEAR Namibian let’s fight for all people. The Ministry of Defence please don’t dump our application forms anymore because we have applied even for two years, but we were not recruited. When are we going to be recruited? They must recruit from the old and the new applicants. For example 50% from the old and 50% from the new. Please consider our forms from 2008.
* NAMPOL Head Office (Fingerprints Department), we drivers need our PDP/Professional Authority as soon as possible after applying. It takes a whole year instead of the six weeks you promised us drivers! We are losing our jobs because of the lazy way this is handled. Inspector General please act now. – Tired Driver
* WHY must our soldiers suffer in trucks? And then we want them to fight for us. How about giving them buses for transport. It’s very bad in the rain. It’s why they get sick.