SMSes for Tue 03 Mar 09
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. While we should give credit to our Namibian men and women who fought under the flag of Swapo to liberate Namibia, we must also remember the contribution made by all Namibians. Those who were in exile and particularly those Namibians who were within Namibia and who took the full blast of the South African military force. Why particularly do we not hear about the contribution made by the international community towards the liberation of Africa? It seems that all the former African liberation movements have forgotten the solidarity they received from the people of Europe, America, and indeed from many Asian countries. Those of us who were at that time in London, and many other European cities, would recall those huge demonstrations calling for: ‘Free Namibia, Nelson Mandela, South Africa, Zimbabwe’, etc. Why is no mention made about the solidarity we received from our European and Asian brothers and sisters? I am talking about the ordinary people who forced their governments to put pressure on southern African colonial governments to accept the majority rule. Without such solidarity the liberation struggle would have dragged on for an awful long time.
Food For Thought
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. I WOULD like to urge the youth to vote for the party that offers a ray of light in the seemingly bleak future. This should be based on a manifesto that is tabled by (hopefully) active politicians, who are to do more for Namibia as a whole. Let me also remind them that affiliation to a party should be by choice and not by race, tribe, region or socio-economic status. We are one Namibia. – JD
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. FLOODS and droughts are a sad reality in our country but the large amount of water received between January and March could alleviate the impact of the droughts. Do we still think it is a good idea to spend huge resources to bring in water from the Congo River when we are unable to manage what we already have in our yards? Humm!
Politics
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. DEAR comrades in Swapo, I am getting an increasing problem with my membership in our party. I am not specially connected to the three councillors who were sacked so unceremoniously by a simple letter one day in advance. As far as I am informed there was no disciplinary hearing, no discussion, nothing. At least I don’t know any reason for their dismissal. How can I defend this decision? I cannot say to non-party members that they must just trust and believe in the wisdom of our leaders and not ask why, for what reason they do as they do. The same problem I have when I must defend our party’s position with regard to the elections in November 2009 in the absence of a comprehensive programme that deals with the challenges of 2009 and beyond – not 2004 and before. I cannot just refer to the braveness of our older leaders during the struggle and hope that younger voters will find this sufficiently impressive to vote for us. I tried to raise these questions (and many others) within party structures but I never found a real chance to discuss them nor was I given advice. Now I hope that this SMS page of The Namibian will allow us to discuss these matters in order to find answers.
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. SWAPO leadership is trying to harass people into not voting for RDP. Casting your vote is a right that wasn’t easily won. It’s your chance to play a role in the future of our country so don’t be put off by people intimidation, empty promises and overdue salary increases. Your vote can, and will, make a difference. – Democrat from Otjiwarongo
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia.
* VOTERS and non-voters should not complain about Government and bad or no service because voters put them in that position. And non-voters don’t use their democratic right to get them out of that position.
* WHAT is going on in Swapo today is nothing else but a repetition of the spy drama that resulted in thousands of members perishing in the dungeons 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
* MAYOR (Matheus) Shikongo and others who were chased from your jobs, know that your chapters are closed in Swapo’s books irrespective of what you will say. Is this the kind of life we want in Namibia? Namibians we can put a stop to that during the 2009 election.
* SOME 300 years ago, the world witnessed the Spanish Inquisition which was misused to get people out. Why is Swapo going the same route? It failed then, so why must it work now?
* POLITICAL cleansing: Swapo Party leaders are doing damage to the party themselves. Instead of campaigning for the upcoming election, they are busy with cheap politics of dismissing whoever is suspected of [allegedly] being linked to RDP. They are doing damage to themselves. Swapo is wasting its time because RDP members are everywhere, even among themselves. To them they are cleaning up but they are practically campaigning for RDP. Other political parties are busy campaigning while they are dismissing. It’s true that they lost focus. Everyone can see it now although they are denying it.
Water Woes
* PART of the solution to the water disaster in Oshana and other surrounding regions is for people there to acquire dugout canoes (traditional boats) from the Caprivi and Kavango regions. This option is affordable, convenient for that kind of situation and can serve more people. – Henry
* I BELIEVE that Ruacana and Omuthiya are the only two towns in the North that can offer a solution to the problem of flooding because of their being on high ground. These are the only two towns in the North that both the Government and the private sector should start moving their offices and businesses to. I know that a lot of things are involved here, like many people losing their positions. There will be two mayors, about 28 town councillors, 14 regional councillors with only two regional governors in the whole north. These two cities could each be almost as big as Windhoek. Obviously, politicians and traditional leaders will oppose this for fear of losing their positions, but that is the permanent solution. – WSAM, Windhoek
Running The Show
* THERE are so many issues the GRN needs to address and buying a new jet surely isn’t smart. Really it must be the joke of the year!
* WE are in the year 2009 and all the Government is thinking of buying new double-cabs for chiefs, while there’s a lack of housing. Think wisely. – Concerned youth.
Labour Issues
* TO the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Services as an ‘ex-hired’ employee of Potentia Health, I just want to let you know about my displeasure at the way we have been treated with regard to the ‘labour hire’ issue. Up to today, February 28, we have nothing of everything promised to us by your office. You only talk to journalists but not to us the affected workers. You have treated us like a ‘lost child’, which might be true for Zimbabweans. But the sun is rising slowly in Zimbabwe, and please sir, mark my words of wisdom. To HIV patients I say we do our best for you every day and we can do more but we are being demotivated, demoralised and somehow ‘dehumanised’. But I repeat again, the sun is slowly rising in Zimbabwe ... Ndapandula unene tatekulu!! Oshili nawa!! Ewa!!
Health Matters
* MARCH 12 is World Kidney Day. I am requesting the President or the Minister [of Health] or his Deputy to go and talk to the patients at the Kidney and Dialysis Centres. These people are so neglected by our parliamentarians, churches etc. – Concerned Citizen
In And From The Regions
* ABOUT the narrow-gauge locomotive at Usakos. The minister is only interested in shooting the messenger: how long have both the transport industry and Usakos business asked for a truck run-off strip for brake failures on the downhill section from the west. Just political will or unwillingness?
* TO the Mayor of Otjiwarongo: Please we need an MVA office in Otjiwarongo. We know you can do it.
* I AM concerned about the Katima-Linyanti tarred road. The quality of work is very poor. Can someone please do something to improve the quality?
* I AM a student concerned about the dirt at the Caprivi College of Education. When are they going to clean it? It’s like a place which is left in ruins after the people who lived there moved to another place. I need feedback please. – Moody
* WHY does the GRN not want to construct bridges between Ompundja and Eheke in the Oshana Region? Please, our houses are flooded, do something!
* MUNICIPALITY Otjiwarongo - Division Orwetoveni: Could you please erect speed bumps on Xamxoaseb Street alongside the two schools. There is reckless driving.
* FLOODS. Why is Mariental the only area that has been declared a flood area? In my opinion Owamboland is worse. Insurance companies should not discriminate.
Education
* TEACHERS’ promotional posts in the four ‘O’ regions are given to people from those regions, whether competent or not. Interviews just a formality. We are watching with big eyes how others are discriminated against. Please investigate.
Bouquets And Brickbats
* CONGRATULATIONS Namibia, the family show ‘The Ties that Bind”, after seeing the first episode, was very beautiful, educative, informative, sensational, dramatic, humorous and realistic at the same time! I guess this is only the beginning, the sky is the limit! Well done!
* THANK you ‘Open File’ team for keeping us updated with the flood situation in Oshana and Omusati. Anna thank you, keep up the courage, you are on spot!
* TO The Namibian newspaper: keep it up! The SMS page is the best as the nation can voice their concerns. What about more pages? You are the best newspaper in Namibia! – Hilda
Labour Issues
* I AM very disappointed with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. I applied for a post last year which was dated 16-09-08. It was acknowledged but I haven’t had any outcome. – Worried citizen
General
* GENERAL Shalli, did you know that there’s no uniformity within our army forces like we see in the navy and air force. There are more than seven types of uniform within the army. Why can’t you ban all those and just use one. And tell soldiers in Windhoek that they must wear clean uniforms when they go shopping in town.
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia. I WANT to know is it efundja or flood? And what will happen if a learner writer uses “efundja” in an exam instead of flood. Will this learner get the mark or not? Please let’s call a spade is a spade. – Cho-cho, Rundu
* Can someone help us get a clear and correct answer here? – Newsdesk
* IT would appear that the only card left for Swapo to play is that “Swapo liberated this country”, which is true to a certain extent. However, Swapo is not the sole liberator of Namibia.
* PLEASE help! If anyone knows who I can contact or where to go for training in pottery, please let me know at 081-291-0819 or 085-583-9796. Thanks in advance. – Lady Ann - Rosi Praetorius offers pottery classes in Suiderhof. Her number is 081 242 2256.
Service Please
* OB DAVIDS, when we bought our sectional titles from you in Khomasdal’s extension 14 you told us that you would build a shopping complex at the open area between the two complexes and a service station at the back of west side but now you are constructing more flats?