SMSes for Mon 09 Mar 09
* I WAS shocked today by Parliament’s inability to form a quorum after the tea break [on Thursday]. Do the “honourables” realise how much of a responsible job they have? You are not only making rules for our society through laws, but almost every other powerful institution has to report to you or resorts under you. This includes GRN, Ombudsman and even the President who can be impeached by you. Can you imagine this behaviour even in an election year? You are getting away with this because even us [the electorate] are either ignorant about our rights and duties [ultimate power] or equally lack seriousness. Please table a motion, but start deducting money in the meantime so the public save on hours not worked. I’m not talking about the 24% increase yet, what a reward!!
Food For Thought
* FLOOD talk. Many ignored traditional norms of choosing a site to build homesteads in seasonal flooding areas. We have a crisis that needs both short- and long-term solutions. About 80% of the people use bush and pit latrines and that could cause water-borne diseases. Oshakati-west (Okatana), Oneshila and Ondangwa (Ondjondjo) are historically in flood plains. Towns and villages need to be redesigned and developed or else we are going to face the same dilemma every year. Environmental awareness should be part of any action. It’s embarrassing that many in the North don’t even know the ecology of their own environment!
Tuned Out
* OH my! Is the ruling party running scared? Muzzling the media and insulting Namibians by prescribing what they may and may not listen to on the radio! What happened to press freedom and freedom of expression? Are basic human rights decided by Swapo? – PL, Windhoek
* NBC, NBC, NBC, with all interesting comments and views, the majority of us have understood that the decision made by the NBC management hiked the tempers on various aspects. Silencing people on the other hand is detrimental to our intelligence system.
* NOW that the National Chat Show has been cancelled, and other interactive platforms are under threat of being closed down if criticism of public office bearers prevails, the only remaining avenue for the expression of public opinion will be the ballot box.
* STRINGENT measures on NBC phone-in programmes are a poor business decision. The unintended outcome is, it will make The Namibian’s SMS page and One Africa even more popular and advertisers will follow the numbers. Thus the NBC’s ability to raise funds via advertising will be affected negatively. In the end the same unhappy public will be expected to pay up via increased licence fees or out right treasury intervention. Why do we go to university if we can’t use our education? NBC does also not make money like the Agronomic Board for example yet NBC Board is paid significantly more. It does not make sense to me!
* EISH! what has become of us? We are really suffering from a chronic cultural cancer, the inability to see what is right or wrong and do what is right. All we think of are things which are off target from Biblical guidance and instructions. When we are unruly and go against set regulations, most of them reasonably right, we think we are ‘cool’ and being great and democratic. Goodness, we are a sick nation, sowaar! NBC has done the right thing, it may not be good to and meet our corrupt cultural standards! What we need is a change of our attitude, whatever it is. May God have mercy on us, unruly callers!
* I ALWAYS thought that the politicians were politicking for their gain only. But I realised that some of them are genuine and true. The NBC doesn’t give them due airtime. We only read in selected newspapers about the UDF’s 20th anniversary at Usakos. We would have liked visuals. This party and others have proved themselves worthy Namibians. What more do parties like UDF need to do to persuade NBC to get one second of prime time coverage. No NBC No. – Electech
Running The Show
* MPs who went before knock-off time, how are their salaries calculated matched to their working days or hours? Please honourables, work as role models. If you work like that what about the poor fellow public servants? – Ndapanda
* SOMETIMES one wonders if some of our politicians’ minds are really that clear. Or is it the money they receive every month for nothing that spoiled them. I’m talking about the Falcon and 4x4 double-cabs for what? Is it to impress who? I doubt the right-minded people of this country will ever consider this. Look for the important priorities what the people need the most! This goes straight to the ruling party.
* WHY are we surprised or even disappointed about a lack of commitment among so-called ‘servants to the people’ in our ministries, when they just follow the example of our parliamentarians who are bunking parts of sessions or simply do not turn up for duty just like immature school children. What exactly was the 24% increase for? And no, NBC, we are not going to shut up about this – with or without your quite pathetic Chat Show. – Someone who wants his taxes to be used for more deserving ends e.g. textbooks for those many Grade 8s who still can’t read
* MR Government, instead of buying cars for traditional leaders make sure Nangolo SSS in Ondangwa has enough books. Last year 200 learners wrote exams but only two managed to pass. Buy them geography books. – Kandala
* WHAT do Regional Councillors really do? And now they are complaining because they didn’t get a seat on the gravy train. For what they are doing they should not get a salary but an allowance like town councillors.
* REGIONAL Councillors are the most over-worked political officers, using their own vehicles to cover vast areas and rough terrains every day and yet no salary hike for them. What a joke.
* BASED on the Auditor General’s report for the Otavi Village Council, which is of serious concern, the council has totally failed Otavi and before we lose the status of village settlement let’s vote for change in Otavi. – Disappointed Otavi resident
* THE best Mayors ever for Walvis Bay since 1994 were Manuel de Castro, Theresia Samaria and King Mandume Muatunga. They did us proud!
* GOVERNMENT does not obey its own laws. NBC owes PAYE of N$127 million. Govt owes social security N$10-30 million. We buy 45 4x4 vehicles for traditional leaders, a new jet for the president, yet schools only have tents and 14 000 families in Katutura have no electricity. A slippery slope down hill following Zimbabwe?
General
* IT seems that the floods will be experienced every year. There is a need to upgrade infrastructure especially roads and bridges. Most of the bridges which were built in recent years are cheap bridges and are easily swept away by floods, unlike other bridges which were constructed before Independence. Nowadays the contractors enjoy fat cheques for poor work.
* ISN’T it amazing, that after eight months of rebuilding the junction and installing robots at Robert Mugabe Avenue/Centaurus High School, there are more accidents than before!
Politics
* WHAT is going on in Swapo today is nothing else but a repetition of the spy drama like that of Lubango and elsewhere. Those who are advocating it should not become victims (later) of their own making. How on earth do you let a person lose his job because of mere suspicion? – Shishiiveni
* SWAPO, time to think elections! Stop wasting our money, give the chiefs those parked bakkies of the National Planning Commission.
* PLEASE Afrikaners and NG Kerk forgive me, I did not understand at the time why you did not speak out against Apartheid. Now I, an Owambo and Swapo member, am facing the same thing. No more One Namibia, it’s now party first and country last.
* IT’S disturbing for politicians to campaign through the efundja in the North saying that if his party comes to power he will prevent the damage. Yes! Whether it’s real or not, his comments are not suited in the current situation. – SMH
* THOSE who hate Swapo are just complaining. Let’s stop negativity and stand firm as a politically mature nation and work hard for better economic conditions.
* BEING reinstated in the council is like going back to the snake that bites for healing. Councillors must show some pride here. This is way too much.
Politics In General
* AS Africans we’ll remain subject to poverty and being prone to all forms of colonialism. If President Bashir [to be indicted for crimes linked to genocide – he is personally accused of instructing his forces to exterminate three ethnic groups] has to be dragged to court (ICC) how justifiable are the killings orchestrated by Bush, Brown and the Israeli prime minister? Are they divine killers or do they resurrect their victims? – Ferdinand, SA
In And From the Regions
* ALL Hon Councillors of Helao Nafidi town are not doing their work well and one is very busy with his own business. Please change them or there will be no development here.
* AFTER the recent announcement at Gibeon village council of the goats received, one wonders how selection was done? Indeed, as I understand it the community were not properly assisted at councillors office to complete application forms. That’s why the poor community could not benefit from such project. Please explain.
Education
* MINISTRY of Education. Can you please tell us why we are not allowed to write one higher level subject. – Concerned student, Etosha Secondary School
* RESPONSE to ‘call for Education Paradigm Shift’: The poor shift lies therein that teachers have to incur expenses to develop teaching materials, which is not the case in other occupational groups in their working environment. The implications of this are legion. – Pontac
Concerned Consumers
* IS this what we call price inflation or what? A 340ml Coca cola (can) cost N$7,90 at KFC Yetu Centre in Oshakati, while a 1-litre bottle of Coca-Cola cost N$7,00 at a local bar Club Moby jack in Oshakati West. Do we really need an economist to explain this!