SMS Of Tuesday 1 September 2009
* LET’S be very objective when we talk about land being a birthright. Who does it apply to? Must we go back to the migration of different tribes into Namibia? Let us not forget that some tribes can trace their history in our land back to the period known as the Stone Age – while others can also be questioned on the manner in which they acquired “their” land. Let us not fight about who the land belongs to but to make the best use of it. One Namibia for all! – Proud Namibian
Food For Thought
* THERE are many people who have not registered for elections. When are we going to register? We want to vote?
– Iyaloo
Politics
* POLITICAL patronage. The recent support of [Tobie] Aupindi of NWR by the SPYL leadership is nothing than political patronage at work. Patronage-based political systems should not be allowed to supersede good governance of parastatals, otherwise this will adversely affect economic performance. Aupindi should therefore be held accountable for his actions.
* HEROES’ DAY. Instead of a national day it was again a Swapo rally as previous years. Some people dressed in Swapo clothing don’t know what is the difference. The speeches are the same criticism of others instead of [about] difficulties facing the country, especially crime, corruption and the abuse of taxpayers’ money. Our Swapo Government is a Titanic, a sinking ship. We need a change and soon.
* COMRADE President, the people will still think that you are a puppet of the former President because since you have taken over as President nothing much has changed: The Namibian newspaper is still banned under your leadership, reports of previous Presidential commissions of inquiry not yet made public by you and your continuous consultation of your predecessor for guidance and advice it’s clearly obvious that you are being directed by your predecessor and that you are not your own man.
* I WONDER why [Evilastus] Kaaronda (NUNW) and [Elijah] Ngurare (SPYL) keep on attacking some of our liberation struggle icons while glorifying only one person as if he was alone! The liberation war was collective, long, hard and bitter! It was a bloodbath and death; not press conferences! How many wars did Kaaronda and co fight? Who said they (Kaaronda & co) are not hibernators themselves? Whose agenda are they promoting? Since when did they become champions of Swapo Party? They [allegedly] support corruption only when it suits them, all in the name of Swapo Party. Kaaronda and co. must be warned that they don’t own Swapo Party! Their time will come to taste their own poison! They are not forever untouchable as they seem to think! So, they should use public time and resources to promote peace and unity within Swapo Party.
– PD
* IF President Hifikepunye Pohamba is not a “puppet” of former President Sam Nujoma, let him remove all Nujoma portraits from public offices. Release commissions [of inquiry reports]!
* OUR Founding Father. Hello to your name. Thy kingdom remain (Namibia). Thy will be done at State House. As it was in Lubango. Give us this day our daily finger wagging. And forgive us our trespasses (toyi-toying on State property). As we forgive our government ... and union leaders. As they trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation (to want fish quotas, diamond concessions). But deliver us from wanting to be on the candidate list. For divine is thy State House, thy power and glory. For ever and ever. Amen.
– Aman
* ONE Ralph van Wyk must be reminded of the rule of law in this country. Through Informanté of August 27 2009’s letter page, he threatened the Baster Captain, John McNab, “to abandon his captaincy with immediate effect within the next three months he would have to face the full force of the Van Wyks ... the patience has started to run out”. Please, Namibia should not be treated as a banana republic where anyone says what he feels like. Avoid imitating the SPYL-NUNW-Iilonga-Nujoma gaffe!
– Vries
* NORA Chase and Nico Smit think wisely and join RDP, the party that is really democratic! Viva RDP for progress! We can do better!
– Radical
* THERE is too much conflicting information on the private sector opinion on Government’s position on EPA. The truth is Government is gambling with the national economy.
Happy Birthday
* FIRST, happy birthday, the “people’s’” paper! Don’t ever give in to intimidation.
* HAPPY birthday to The Namibian. Uhuru!
* TO The Namibian team, you are heroes and I vividly remember your front-page coverage of atrocities committed by apartheid forces against innocent Namibians. Please continue telling it like it is. Happy 24th birthday.
– Hamlungu wa eta ombili
* HAPPY birthday to you my dearest paper. I hope that you will keep telling it the way you do! Wishing you all the best in publishing! With love.
– Jasma Kalutenda
Bouquets And Brickbats
* WHY does your cartoonist, Dudley, mostly only defame black Namibian leaders? We have white influential people in our country, in fact our economy is still in their hands, but we are still to see them being the subject of defamation and ridicule. Please address this issue, we are tired of this racist mentality.
– Cartoons are by their very nature satricial. Criticism and satire do not add up to defamation, let alone racism. And on every continent, those in power are held to account by the cartoonist’s pen. If you care, or dare, to go back through The Namibian’s cartoons down the ages, you will see that Dudley has been consistent in tackling the issues and politicians of the day, irrespective of colour. – News Editor
* JOB well done NBC for introducing ‘The Week That Was’ programme. We need the airtime to be spent on programmes like that. Keep it up NBC team.
From The Regions
* I AM very concerned with the many Government workers residing at Tsumeb who are struggling with accommodation yet there are so many Government houses that are being occupied by non-Government employees, and some Government employees are renting out these houses to make business. The anti-corruption unit should seriously investigate and help us.
* WE are Onanyege residents, we are very thirsty, we need clean water at our village. We used to vote Swapo, but after the election Swapo forgets us. Please do something we also want to enjoy the freedom of our country before this coming election.
* LABOUR issue concerning workers at Ohorongo Cement construction site, which is in the hands of a Chinese construction company. My question is are these Chinese contractors aware of the agreement on conditions of employment entered into between CIF and MANWU, that they are still paying N$25 for 12 hours’ work, what is Ministry of Labour doing in this regard or are Chinese companies above the law of labour.
* PLEASE! Mr Kamehozu and your councillors at Grootfontein open your eyes and lift up your socks please! Why can’t you tar the streets in the location? Look at Tsumeb our neighbour, how the town is so clean and how the streets are tarred up to standard, don’t you feel embarrassed? It’s about time you get up and do something because you’re just taking the name of the town down to the drain, anyways you already took the town’s name off the map.
* CITY of Windhoek please, please why on earth do you approve erven for Katutura and Khomasdal you know are not suitable for fellow countrymen? Everyday we have to endure the stench of burning human faeces and other rubbish, that smoke ends up in our homes even when we try to enjoy meals. We do not have the means to shift to better areas.
* NORED should do something? Omadhiya in Omuthiya does not have electricity while Oshifukwa and other small places are well updated? They should either stand up and do their work instead of lying to us poor people.
– Armando family
Take Note
* MINISTRY of Finance announced at the beginning of 2009 a reduction in the tax rate from 34% to 32% with effect from April 1 2009, but we are still paying 34%. Who is fooling who? We need an answer from the Ministry of Finance.
– Taxpayer
* ANTI-corruption! GRN vehicles are being used as means of transport during weddings in the North. Please watch out as there are more weddings slated for December.
* THE Inspector General of the Police must start to think of wiring the Police with recording equipment to help them with incidences such as the one which happened in Caprivi between them (Police), Councillor Mukupi and the Governor Mwilima. If what’s reported in the New Era (28/08/09) is true, please equip the force.
– Mekupi K
Service Please
* BANK Windhoek please put more point of sales points in shops, our cards are being rejected at FNB points.
– Tatekulu
* UNAM (CES), we are sick and tired of your poor service, we didn’t receive our results for first semester. But when it comes to money you are more than serious. Stick to the due dates. Improve please!
Lost And Found
* I ASK anyone who might have found my ID, Stefanus Samule, to please contact me 0813858779.
* I, Wonzi Peter, based in Walvis Bay, found an ID card belonging to Mashati. I believe he was born at Rundjarara in the Kavango Region. Please call 0812202538.
* I LOST my ID no 70031500382 in Windhoek, Katutura and hereby humbly request my fellow citizens to please, if picked up, contact me at 0812007793/0813911006, Clemens Gaseb.
* I ASK anyone who might have found my ID Mateus Fillemon to please contact me at 0813735381.
* I ASK anyone who might have found my ID Ebba Tulonga Kwedhi. My Polytech student card, medical card, and my confidential report. Please contact me at 0813677585/0813154074.
* I LOST my ID on 3 May 2008, in Tsumeb. I am Ndeshimona Sackaria. Please anyone with information or who found it please notify me on 0813617364.