SMS for Friday 3 JUNE 2009
* THE Namibian reported that Russian PM Vladimir Putin cut a meeting short to take those present to a supermarket where he told the store managers to reduce their prices. This is the kind of approach needed for our retailers and agronomic industry (or food producers). For example, farmers produce far fewer tons of crops than in the early 90s, yet want more money from consumers. Was there no drought then? They are already busy with Jatropha while the country does not produce enough food (that crop competes with our staple food for resources including land while it poisons the soil). Business interests need to be balanced with consumer interest!
Food For Thought
* WHY does the NBC not report on interest rate changes by commercial banks?
*WE as the Standard Bank clients want to know when they are going to drop or cut their lending rates. We want some relief too.
– BH
Shocked
* THE reason why a mentally disturbed 18-year-old man killed a Policeman at Oshakati Hospital is because of poor planning, lack of medical focus and proactivity by some highly influential management cadres in that concerned ministry! Namibia at 19 years after Independence is older than that mentally disturbed man! There must be a hospital in this republic built only for people with mental disorders and designed with the emphasis on the safety for medical staff and others. Why should people only pretend to have woken up only after a loss of life? Please, be accountable when you are in a position of trust, do your best to save lives! It can happen to anyone, anywhere.
– Chinaman
* MINISTER of Health, we are not impressed by the urgent visit at Oshakati Hospital. You did the same in Walvis Bay and up to now no Police officers are deployed at the hospital. Nurses are traumatised because they are reminded of the 2002 incident where we lost two lives! Please do something before another life is lost even over the month-end weekend! Rest in peace Comrade Njundo.
* WHERE was the teargas at Oshakati Hospital? How can the Police shoot a disturbed person instead of using teargas? And to my surprise the guy only had stones against the well-trained Police officers. I wonder what they were being trained for when recruited. If they can’t even arrest a disturbed person without shooting him. A person who was just armed with stones. Shame on the Police who shot the disturbed person instead of using teargas.
* HOW can Police officers flee the scene when a mentally disturbed patient kills a prison officer? They are not only there to guard the payment point. Imagine collecting stones, smashing windows, doors. This is nothing but a way for Namibians not wanting to be a witness, therefore everybody had to hide.
– JV
* INHUMANE death of a prison officer at the State Hospital at Oshakati. Who is to decide about the admission place of a patient? Is it a mother or a doctor?
* NURSES at Oshakati State Hospital you did a shameful job. That officer lost his life for you and you abandoned him.
* THE Namibian Police you need to explain to the nation how a patient can kill a person in front of Police officers. Dr Hamata tell the nation why that patient was not admitted to ward sixteen.
Messages Of Condolence
* I REALLY would like to sympathise with the family of the late comrade Jundo who was killed by a patient at Oshakati hospital. May his soul rest in peace.
– MB.
* I WOULD like to give my message of condolence to the family of the late MJ on his unexpected sudden death. MJ was a peaceful, honest man. Let God be in our hearts. 1 Cor: 5. May his soul rest in eternal life.
– Etilyasa resident
*I’M shocked by the death of Mr Mpaeka (Vakwaita vokokongo) my lovely Namibian musician. In our prayers we will keep you always. Rest in peace Hailwa! Psalm 23.
– Betty
Michael Jackson
* A BIG thank you goes to The Namibian newspaper for keeping us updated on Michael Jackson’s death. He was indeed an outstanding performer, musician and a humanitarian with a caring, loving and smooth heart. God be with MJ’s family, friends and fans!! RIP King of pop.
–Clemans M, Khorixas
* TO The Namibian newsdesk if you don’t have a photo of Michael Jackson when he visited Namibia, I have one.
– Kahoo
– Thanks Kahoo, we would love to make a copy of your photo. – News Editor
* I CAN’T believe the NBC is selling MJ’s DVD now that he’s passed on. Was it ever up for sale before or were they only waiting for this moment?
– MJ fan
* DVDs of Michael Jackson’s memorable visit: Does the NBC have rights to sell these DVDs or just want to make a quick buck? If not, I think this could put our National Broadcaster into trouble of civil suits and eventually become additional burden to us the taxpayers. Please be careful NBC.
– PD, Windhoek
* NAMIBIAN musicians are not yet respected, poor gospel singer Gift passed away at Walvis Bay but not even her funeral appeared in The Namibian, while now every corner in The Namibian is showing the late King of Pop (M Jackson). Why?
– Vaino Hamutenya, Odimbwa, Etayi Constituency
Bouquets And Brickbats
* YOUR Top Revs ‘Me & my car’ often relates how the car owner exceeded the speed limit (even stating the exact high speed). Not only are they setting a bad example, but they could face fines as they have admitted to breaking traffic laws.
* THANK You Omulunga radio presenters, you are well organised and always give the news and sport on time. Keep it up entertaining us and a long life to the Djs.
* KAVANGO and Caprivi radio in Erongo Region. Since Independence we still don’t have our own language radio here in Erongo. Please Minister of Information and Broadcasting, do something for us.
– Tupau, Walvis Bay
* THE Namibian newspaper and Ms Lister please open a television station so we can, ‘Tell it like it is’. NBC has so much potential, but when will the “politricks” stop... please.
* I LIKE to say thank you to a great nurse at Katutura Hospital for helping me very quickly and in a friendly way. You know who you are. Thank you.
* GIVE the person water while he is alive. Well done Uncle Bob. Bobby you are our special one!
Seal Clubbing
* REGARDING clubbing - I am ashamed to be Namibian! Stop this slaughter now!
* STOP your silly bunny-hugging reports on the seal cull because they only serve to support Namibia’s enemies. We use our natural resources sustainably and don’t need interference from sentimental South Africans. GRN, increase the quota to safeguard fish stocks and use the seal carcass meal to develop more fish farms!
* MINISTRY of Fisheries, shame on you to proceed with the seal culling! The wheel turns, remember that!
* IN this very same newspaper of July 1, page 3, you people don’t know why you want to protect the seals. Around 98 per cent of human beings in this world aren’t vegetarians. We eat fish, meat, chicken, pork, crabs, snails, etc. Whatever method used to take these creatures’ breaths is killing. Fishing industries, meat markets, hunting farms whatever flesh/meat we are eating is killed.
* ABOUT seal clubbing, how can you say that our Government should buy out that company? Those seals are reducing the fish population, and don’t you think we should spend those millions on other problems in other country. There are starving people here man.
– Khumalo
* CULLING is one thing, but mass clubbing another. The mass slaughter of Namibia’s seals is not acceptable. What is worse, despite people shouting about hunger, is that the seals are mainly killed to feed the male ego, i.e. for aphrodisiac purposes. Let’s get real. Also, as has become customary when resources are involved, only a few benefit.
From The House
* IF rapists are to be castrated, then what about those MPs who regularly abandon, fall asleep or idle in Parliament and fail to enact laws and find measures to control the scourge? They are even worse conduits by contributing to underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, laziness, absenteeism, lawlessness and corruption. Shame! Charity begins at home. It is time for new brains.
– Steven Mvula
* CASTRATING rapists, abusive women, MPs demand? Including their partners? It’s torture, cruel and inhuman punishment! MPs, come to your senses, think and read Article 8.
*WHY don’t parliamentarians discuss things like castration in the tearoom or after hours. It’s clear such a thing will never pass a constitutionality test so why waste time discussing a non-starter when they could be airing plausible ways to combat rape. P.S., rape is not about the penis, it is about violence. How then should we deal with it? I don’t know but surely it can’t be by becoming what we despise – persons with no respect for human life and dignity.
* MPs demand that rapists be castrated. It is true that rape is a serious, degrading, humiliating offence. And it should be eradicated. Castration is also degrading, humiliating offence. It is torture. Now Article 8 of the Constitution of Namibia prohibits torture of any kind on persons. Article 10(1) of the Namibian Constitution puts all persons equal before the law. That means everyone, including criminals, should get equal protection of the law. Both rape and castration are unconstitutional. MPs should be aware! They took oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution of Namibia. Article 1(6) says that the Constitution shall be the Supreme Law of Namibia. MPs should rather think of other ways.
–Ben, Rundu.
* ‘CASTRATE men who rape women, castrate women who abuse men’, MPs - Dr Libertina, Moongo, Kaura, Nora (today’s The Namibian). Constitution: Article 8(2)(a), says, “In any judicial proceedings or in other proceedings before any organ of the State, and during the enforcement of penalty, respect for human dignity shall be guaranteed”. Let’s condemn MPs with no vision.
General
* PLEASE, fellow Namibians, stop shooting the messengers of peace, unity and truth i.e. The Namibian, churches, police and human rights watchdog! If the boiling water is not poured on you, you won’t feel it.
– Steven Mvula, human rights activist
* COCA-Cola company, I heard the news last week that Coke Zero in other countries like Venezuela is banned for health reasons. What about in our country Namibia?
– Mr Mbwale
*I NEED to find out from FNB Home loans, is it a must to go for HIV test for loan approval and what if one is HIV positive?
Taxi Crime
* A TAXI driver robbed my cousin of everything during lunchtime today. She loaded her luggage in the taxi when she forgot one bag inside the house. She went back inside to collect the bag when the taxi driver drove away within seconds. For how long should these crimes of taxis continue like this? They are now robbing day and night and some get away with it. I’m requesting that all taxis must have one colour and numbers according to their make whether they like it or not. It will be very easy to identify the criminals. The reason why taxi drivers don’t want taxis to have one colour is so that they can get away easily with their crimes. Please our GRN must do something about this. We are tired of these criminals among us and we are no longer safe with whatever we have even food, money, clothes, our lives. You can name it
City Fathers Please ...
* CITY Police please start patrolling at Wanaheda, Zambezi Street. The houses are broken into by botsotsos so much while we are at work or school and we don’t sleep either. Please try.
Education
* CAN the Ministry of Education clarify the issue of ACE! Should we just spend our money and time for mahala (nothing)? If this qualification is not recognised, why are they quiet on it? How many more of us do they want fooled by this IOL? Or is there someone benefiting from our loss?
Labour Issues
* I STARTED working as a teacher 2006 for eight months. Then I was permanently appointed to the post in 2007. Should I be getting the same salary as the person who started in 2007? If so where do I throw my eight months’ experience?
* RED Cross Society when are we going to get payment for the national testing?
* SECURITY company (name supplied) tell us what’s your problem? How can you increase the people and reduce their basic salaries? And why are you not paying us double when people work on Sunday. Tell us how do you regard us? We are bringing a lot to the company but in return we are nothing.
* I WOULD like to request the Public Service Sector or OPM to reduce the probation period from 12 months to at least six months, because it is exhausting for a person to work the whole year without leave or proper rest. A person misses out on any privileges or opportunities as you have to wait for the one year probation to be confirmed. If you are already permanently employed in the service why should you be on probation again every time you get a promotion. The private sector has only three months probation. Six months probation will be more reasonable.
* I’M working at a certain pharmacy in Walvis Bay as a sales lady. My salary is not even more than N$2 000 and since last year we’ve been waiting for our contracts. We still don’t even know what our rate per hour is. The pharmacist told us that she’s waiting for her lawyer to write it. Is it necessary for the lawyer to interfere in our business. Ministry of Labour please do something, we are suffering.
In And From The Regions
* AT Ruacana, a town in Omusati Region, I am concerned about a location called Okondeka. This village does not have electricity but in other locations, very far from town, about 15 km such Okambola and Okonyota, have electricity. Why is it like that?
* ON Saturday afternoon a vehicle was burning on the Walvis Bay airport road, not far from the airport. The NAC airport firefighters were on scene on their way back to their homes but didn’t do anything. You could have called firefighters and at least saved that person’s property.
* MADAM Honourable Finance Minister: your officers at inland revenue offices (Oshana Region) must shape up or ship out. Taxpayers submitted their 2008-2009 self-assessment returns yesterday (30/06/09), but their 2007-2008 returns are not assessed yet or they are lost in their offices. What is that? Honourable Minister, we would like to see change, please. Thank you Amkoshi.
* SUPERVISOR at the Inland Revenue Office in Oshakati. Can he/she explain why most of the returns submitted last year June and up to now have not yet been attended to? Is she/he aware of what is happening or just too busy with other commitments?
– Frustrated taxpayer
* WE want our road from Okankolo to Onkumbula to be constructed. It has been 10 years now. We are tied of walking around 30 km every time.
* MORNING Namibia, SMS on behalf of Mariental’s people for these following stores to consider opening at least one small branch for us – Jet, Big Daddy and Style. Please we are hungry for your stock and prices.
* I WANT to know what the Outjo municipality and its councillors are doing. The town is dirty, the graveyard is the worst. It’s full of grass and the streets are not tarred especially the townships. Since I grew up there for 33 years, we are still driving on gravel roads. The town is really underdeveloped. It’s going from bad to worse.
* MINISTRY of Home Affairs in Walvis Bay, please pull up your socks. Your services to the public overall are very poor and need improvements!
Health Matters
* I WOULD still like to know the difference between the symptoms of ordinary flu and swine flu. Have flu now like half the world in winter. What the hell is the difference?
* Dr Kamwi Minister of Health, could you please assist Ohangwena District Hospitals on the issue of accommodation? Medical professionals are sharing houses while new offices are built. Is this fair? This is the cause of the high staff turnover in this region.
* HOW come with all this development the government claims, there are cockroaches in Katutura Hospital, patients bring their own blankets and sometimes their own food, sometimes have to pay for a bed or sleep on the floor. And how come Panado is prescribed for every illness or injury under the sun?
* I’M one of the people that are called albino. My concern is that I hate the name omakishi or omathithi. What do people mean with that name? Traditionally we heard there was an omathithi a long time ago which eats people. What makes people come up with that name? The other thing: treat us the way we are treating you. You don’t know when you will have a child like us.
Lost And Found
*IT is not wise to print names with ID numbers of lost and found IDs. Criminals can use this info for identity theft. Rather just print the full name.
– Thanks for pointing this out. – News Editor
Service Please
* DEAR shop owners employ people that will promote your businesses. You sometimes employ people who need to learn about customer care. I was a regular supporter of Coetzee Supermarket in Pionierspark until the security guard harassed me and my little girl when we looking for a suitable kiddies’ magazine for a project.
* TO the person who wrote that his sister’s bank card was swallowed at the ATM of Stop & Shop, I had a similar experience a few years ago at the same place. What happens is that a tsotsi presses the cancel button and tells you to enter your pin, he memorises it and pretends to enter your card which he hides and withdraws your money at another ATM.
– Telwa
* ORANJEMUND’S Bank Windhoek service is poor. Workers are often outside smoking and chatting while we are in queues.
– Adnil
* MTC! Please be true to your customers and keep your promises. The newly introduced postpaid 3G USB MODEM is not as useful as the image they give it. Am a student, and pay N$50 a month for 300 megabytes to be transferred to my account every month as promised. The problem is MTC surely has the technology to snatch the 50 as soon as possible but putting on the megabytes seems to be forgotten. Then I have to call 130 over 10 times and maybe they will put it on after three more weeks. But lately I haven’t received anything for two months and they decided to identify me as a prank caller as I keep calling to enquire. To add to it, when you connect the Net keeps going on and off every two minutes, which is really annoying. Don’t be fooled by the ads.
– Loise
Road Hogs
* THE driver of GRN 1555 drove very recklessly in front of the RC Hospital at about 12h00 on Wednesday, July 1. Please check.
Sporting
* THANKS to the referee and his assistants who handled the game between Orlando Pirates and Eleven Arrows. NFA cup well done!
– Kappa
* SECOND division football is not competitive because the teams that are there are not demoted and one finds it strange to find out that teams are still losing by huge scores. In Khomas Region you find that top three teams have scored average of 60 goals and the other teams have conceded 40 – 80. That means teams are just playing for nothing but to fulfil the league because next season they will be still be playing in the second division, so I call for a start of a third division all over Namibia so that teams in the second division are demoted, I rest my case.
– The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is in charge of the lower divisions in the country, except the Namibia Premier League (NPL). In case you want to make a formal submission regarding your idea, please contact the chief executive officer, Barry Rukoro at Soccer House at 061 - 265691. – Sportdesk