SMS Of Thursday 3 September 2009
* I HAVE been driving (cars) since 1983 in more than 10 countries around the globe. Namibians, and in particular Windhoek drivers, are without a shadow of doubt the worst drivers in the world! And I’m not even mentioning the taxis! Ranging from the inability to park inside the generously large parking lines of parking spots to driving in town with all spotlights on! The average driver in this town has no consideration for his/her fellow road user. Shame on you and go get driving lessons.
Food For Thought
* COUNCILLOR Mupetami of Okatjali it’s good you bought canoes for your people, but please also teach them how to swim in case a canoe capsizes then lives are saved.
Bouquets and Brickbats
* THANK you for ‘telling it like it is’.
* NBC, well done for the improved news broadcast, but what is the use of the laptops?
Election Fever
* THANKS to the ECN for announcing the election dates as November 27 and 28. It is long overdue. I can’t wait to cast my vote and hear the results. So, fellow Namibians, it is time to honour our democracy and show that we care. For those who have not yet registered as voters, the supplementary registration will start on September 17 to 30. There is no excuse my friends. We need change. Yes, we can!
– Steven Mvula
* WHAT criteria did the ECN use in shortlisting applicants for area managers and returning officers? I’m asking because highly qualified, experienced, competent and efficient middle managers with elections experience were not even invited for interviews. What do they think about accountability and responsibility? Are elections really still serious business?
Stepping Aside
* ALLOW me to pay tribute to Hon Tjiriange in Otjiherero. Muatje wa Tjiriange tja Ngoze omutwezu ngu wa yenda nongundeveta mokuapa ovakwenu amave u nomikuta, okuhepa uri.
* MINISTER Tjiriange you cannot resign without giving us our money.
– Kutuva
* PLEASE Hon Tjiriange don’t leave without giving the money for veterans please.
* IN a country where the old do not make place for the new and our President seems not to believe in the value of new blood, Comrade Tjiriange needs to be complimented for the honourable step that he took! As Namibians we can only hope that our political leaders will now realise that there is life after politics, that this step will also go a long way towards much-needed change and the injection of new blood in Cabinet!
– Upeuatjike
* SHAME on Minister Tjiriange, announcing his retirement after drawing a ministerial salary for years for zero delivery. That can only happen in a Swapo Government. The plight of war veterans is far from being resolved, he had all the time in the world to make a difference but apparently he wanted “more time”.
Politics
* PRESIDENT (Hifikepunye) Pohamba should be advised to lay a strong foundation around him by nominating his top 10 men/women who are loyal to him and who will be protecting and defending his ideals and government.
* OUR Government is lamenting the high crime rate and the moral decay. In fact it is the situation of their own creation since they have imposed foreign laws on Namibia which have disturbed the established social organisation. I am therefore appealing to the new MPs to seriously look into this matter and revoke some of these human faceless laws in order for us to go to the former glorious days of peace. Please involve us citizens when making laws because we are directly affected.
Will there be new faces?
* CAN’T parliamentarians resign voluntarily for the sake of progress, because politics should be progressive not static. They have done enough and we appreciate it really. Let us give a fair chance for the others too, please honourables.
– A bona fide Swapo member, Karas
Running The Show
* I’M very disappointed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. They have been announcing a census that was supposed to start in August, but this is September and nothing is happening. People finished the training in July. They are waiting for something to happen. They are failing to organise the start of the census. Please act first before you tell the public.
* WHATEVER happened to the minister caught for drunk driving at the coast last year?
– I don’t recall a Minister being caught, but there is a case involving a Permanent Secretary. That case is still pending. – News Editor
* CAN the MOD please repair the running water, running through Bastion III. It could pose a danger to employees.
– El Vaquerito
* WHY are Nantu, the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Prime Minister all silent on the omission of Education Officers from the last re-grading? We sense bad vibes! Are they waiting for a toyi-toyi or what?
General
* WHEN will those people who died in the Oshakati Bank (blast) be looked after? Some of them are still alive but nothing has been done for them, even to help them for treatment! Why are some war veterans looked after but some are not? Please help all!
* NEVER ever legalise abortion in Namibia. People should stop irresponsible sexual behaviour – abstain, use contraceptives, but don’t kill the innocent because of your irresponsible attitude
* IF the President is in India why is the road past State House closed during work hours?
* IT has become high time now that we also organise ourselves as artists of Namibia and bring our frustrations to the attention of the SPYL and the Government. We have also contributed to the struggle. We composed freedom songs, recited poems, drew artwork, wrote and performed plays. We danced the toyi-toyi and chanted down the dusty streets of Katutura, Khomasdal, Ponhofi, Dobra and many other places. We were sjambokked, rubber-bulleted and tear-gassed. But despite all the beating, raping and killing, we still continued to dance, sing, draw and play. Our artwork also contributed to the struggle. The trouble is that the artist is still struggling 19 years after Independence. I still remain a frustrated and oppressed artist. Let’s meet and demand change.
– Lucky Pieters, HOD, College of the Arts.
* A QUESTION for the experts: why do new banknotes stink so horribly? I’ve just withdrawn some brand new N$20 bills from the ATM (the serial numbers are still in sequence), and the pong is awful!
– One of our colleagues thinks they smell rather nice! – Newsdesk
City Fathers Please ...
* PLEASE City Police can you please remove those boys who are selling sweets and recharge vouchers at the corner of Hereford and Monte Christo roads, they are causing problems between motorists.
* THE ATM at Shell Service Station in Khomasdal is a crime hotspot for Ambros and credit card friends.
Education
* DEAR HOD, Communication, Language Centre I am an English for law part-time student at Unam. On October 1, you came to our class to tell us that the test due for Saturday the 5th would be postponed for two weeks. At the same time, you also clearly articulated that the aim of testing is for us to learn and improve. Why then did you postpone our learning. I know some students were not ready, but do you need to bend down on a principle to please them? I have studied at Unam for many years and have always admired the way you sympathise and politely deal with students. Continue with that attitude but remember, leaders must also stick to correct decisions. Thank you.
Service Please
* FNB, why do you choose to close accounts if not used for three months without notifying account holders? This is so uncalled for!
* I WANT the MTC network in Okangoho. When will it come?
– Vukandjeo
In And From The Regions
* WE residents at Omulonga Constituency in Ohangwena Region need a road (modern one) to connect us with the main road from Ondangwa to Oshikango and Ondobe! We are suffering a lot when we want to go to hospital or town. There is no point where we can find transport, not to mention during the rainy season when people abandon their houses because of no safe road to use! Please help us!
– Ndaloloka
* USAKOS is dirty and filthy like never before, remember it’s along the B2, the main road to the Atlantic. Be ashamed Mr CEO!
* MRS Gawases, Mr Jossob and your councillors at Maltahöhe please pull up your socks. You are taking the name of our beloved village down the drain. Stand up and look how dirty our village is. Look at the shebeens in the houses. No development is done. Look out for the poor jobless people of Maltahöhe.
* OSHANA Regional Education office is in a mess, especially the salary office. Teachers salaries are being changed without their knowledge up to three times in six months, just think about what will happen to your financial commitments. Nantu and the Labour Commissioner should investigate.
– Duknasey
Lost and Found
* LOST and found, driving licence for T Kamati. Call 081-245-3376.
* ID card of Lameka A. Matthe US, dob 18-7-1979. Found at Friedel’s Panelbeaters.
Absolutely essential for drivers
* DRIVING licence of S Kornelius, dob 24-10-1964 found at Friedel’s Panelbeaters.
* MY name is Lindiwe Nuner, I lost my ID, all my bank cards and medical aid card in a taxi in Windhoek. Please call 081-239-5858.