SMSes for Monday 26 July 2010
SMS Of The Day n I AGREE with (Gwen) Lister that there are few success stories in Namibia these days. The SMS page makes particular depressing reading. So can I please make a suggestion. For every two sentences of complaint you write, write at least one sentence with your desired action to solve the problem. Note: That is precisely what we wish our readers would do. Include a suggestion with every concern or complaint. – News Desk
Food for Thought
n I FULLY concur with the writer of the letter on ‘Cut CEO’s Pay By Half’. If the country is able to do this; what is wrong with the BIG idea? The same CEOs and PSes and the senior government officials spend, if not the whole day, most hours attending board meetings which they are paid for. If the Namibian government is so serious about solving the escalating unemployment issue; it should rather devote its full attention to it and use such monies to create job opportunities. We are not against high salary perks but about what they bring into the coffers of the very same Government and whether such resources cannot be used to inject life into the slow growing economy. Is the Government busy creating an elite block or sector? Whoever wants to get rich should leave the sector and start own business which all of them do have in any case.
– Concerned about the widening gap between rich and poor.
Bouquets
and Brickbats
n TO the stranger at Checkers – maybe wrinkly but your smile made me feel twinkly! For the first time in many, many years I blushed like a 15-year-old. How nice that one still finds manners and a friendly smile! Thank you for making my day!
n DOING your job is good. Going the extra mile is super. Thanks Sylvester, MTC call centre, for the extra mile.
n THUMBS up to Audrin Mathe for his conclusion in regards to the Basic Income Grant (BIG). Please give BIG a chance as well as the support.
– Pastor Ben Araeb
n TALKING about Chinese locomotives and no spare parts available. Again taxpayers learn about yet another case of irresponsible shortsightedness when purchasing for N$24 million. It seems our Government turns blind with regard to low quality Chinese products and business ethics. Haven’t we learnt any lesson yet?
– Angry taxpayer
n HOW could MVA use N$200 000 for team-building exercises in RSA? Just to watch the World Cup at others’ expenses! Team building can be done in Namibia! Please ACC take them to court!
n THE Namibia School Sports Union, you have truly failed school sports and need new people to run it. What continues to happen year after year has to be rectified if we need to promote sport in this country. Learners from the far regions had to sleep in buses on Thursday, July 15 and spend the whole Friday afternoon without a single meal. The selection of players and officials to represent Namibia was very biased. Please Minister (Kazenambo) Kazenambo investigate this and we as teachers/officials will give you the information.
– Disappointed!
An unforgettable sound
n GOOD news! That terrible object the ‘vuvuzela’ has been banned by good clubs in England! Ban the thing permanently from all sports !
NWR Saga
n NWR begs for urgent bailout. Government please don’t bail out these parastatals who threaten to retrench people if Government doesn’t bail them out. The best option is to fire these highly paid so-called CEOs and managers who are useless. Give it to Harold Pupkewitz who will make a success of it.
n HOW can a person gamble with a public company; use for his thesis; earn what an ordinary Namibian cannot even dream of; opt to retrench workers and still be called a success? Oh please; (Jackie) Asheeke and (Tobie) Aupindi should get real. Prime Minister reduce the salary of NWR’s MD before wasting more taxpayer’s money.
– Star
n JACKIE Asheeke, NWR; how can ‘a good, strong company’ need a loan of N$468 million?
n JACKIE Asheeke please acquaint yourself with the most important factor in business – cash flow. It determines whether a company succeeds or not. Is the much talked about turn around policy not rather applicable to Captain Tobie who is abandoning a sinking ship? When will Namibians learn that dreams and the financial sustainability for any envisaged project go hand in hand.
n I SERIOUSLY pray that no country in the world is run like Namibia. How on earth can Cabinet approve the boss of NWR a salary of N$140 000 a month and now the organisation must be bailed by taxpayers? No, something is not right in this country!
n NWR should be privatised. Full stop. Government is not capable of appointing the right people to lead this company with vision, service levels and profitability. This would bring the realistic turnaround.
n BOO hoo! NWR should have put Namibians first instead of greed and elitism. Then you would at least have the nation’s sympathy. Now you are just the laughing stock dragging the country down.
n MAYBE NWR should take a look how successful SANPARK in SA is run. A drastically reduced but trained and friendly workforce is needed to create a conducive tourism environment. Managers not performing should be held liable not promoted or shielded.
n NWR has a turnaround strategy. The first phase to turn it from a profit into a loss was a success. The second phase to increase the loss has just started
n THE previous management of NWR were blamed for failure when they had no money to work with. The new management had millions – they are the actual failures and should all be dismissed.
n NWR needs a huge bailout. South African tour guides and their clients are refused entry to Namibian tourist destinations. How does this add up?
n I WILL not forgive NWR for alienating Namibians from accessing NWR facilities because of their so-called business plan that skyrocketed the prices which make it unaffordable to us. Even with special rates for locals.
GIPF Invests
n DAHLIA the reason why those BEE’s didn’t borrow from commercial banks: there they must pay back!
n WHY can’t GIPF auction their luxury houses; fancy cars; farms and other assets to recover our money or are they untouchables? We really need answers please!
n PUBLIC servants and employees let’s stand together to request GIPF to give us, the owners, one third (of our) cash to settle our home loans instead of borrowing from loan sharks. Our pension truth is out now while we are left in poverty
n GIPF lends our money to others; not to its own contributors. ACC please file a corruption case! Proof is there.
n IS that the reason for GIPF do not want to give part of our pension? Why are the people who are well paid not content with what they earn? Give us our money to do something for our children before we die.
– Kiito, Windhoek
Running the Show
n MINISTRY of Works and Transport, please change your policy of not allocating flats to public servants. We need accommodation in Windhoek please. There are so many empty flats around Windhoek.
The BIG Picture
n I WASN’T supporting the Basic Income Grant (BIG) until I read an SMS in The Namibian (SMS page); July 23, 010. Vouchers will definitely work.
n BIG is the only solution with 50 per cent unemployment in Namibia. National leaders accept BIG the credit will be yours. Not Bishop (Zephania) Kameeta’s.
– !Nani-/aus
In and From
the Regions
n OUTAPI Municipality. The town of Outapi should minimise the high speeds being driven from the main road to Tsandi. There are many people crossing the road from Pep to Shoprite and vice versa. This is very dangerous for them.
– Linus, Ouapi.
n WHY are we not getting the One Africa TV and M-Net programmes in Khorixas? Outjo has all. Why not us?
n WE the residents of Kriess are now eagerly awaiting the installation of power. We are voters also.
– Mr HG Rooinasie
Sporting
n PLEASE our sports desk, can you please update us with EPL transfers on these teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
City Fathers Please…
n CAN we please come up with spot-fines for all the “ings” – spitting – snotting – peeing – begging – harassing – and all the other annoying habits.
– Waltraut
n WHEN will the Etetewe Street, Ombili four-way stop get robots? We are tired of the long lines of vehicles every day after working hours.
n IF we first time buyers are not upmarket enough to live in Auasblick then why auction the 13 erven in Dorado Park, that we can afford, together with the Ausblick ones? Developers will chase the prizes up the wall!
– Irend
n CITY of Windhoek, when is the training for police/traffic officers starting?
n THERE have been people residing in the heart of Okuryangava shopping area next to the Shell Service Station opposite Pep since January 2010. First they slept in the car but currently a shack has been erected. Why do you City Fathers turn a blind eye to this?
– Kuti
Education
n TO the Ministry of Education and the NQA: Is Damelin registered in Namibia?
n SURELY the correct norm is for pregnant schoolgirls to stay home for a prescribed period and then return a while after the birth. The educational system is burdened enough with useless lazy pupils (learners); without having to accommodate someone who eventually won’t fit behind a desk.
n THANKS Unam for offering KKG courses for beginners. Namcol what criteria do use to offer certain languages? I think it has become due to implement Khoekhoegowab at one of your centres. All the other local languages are offered except our precious and unique language. We have teaching materials and we are eager to uplift the standard of our language. Where should KKG speakers go to upgrade their symbols in KKG. We have just celebrated EFA (Education For All) Week, but it seems that we were celebrating the EFS (Education For Some) Week as one of the teachers said at the launching of EFA Week in Khomas Region in Windhoek. Namcol director and board please answer. Why is Khoekhoegowab not offered at any of the centres countrywide? A humble request.
n I DON’T support the idea of allowing pregnant mothers in schools, since to me it is really destructive to learners. On the other hand, will you call that a school? I think it will be something else. Let’s re-look at the issue.
n WHEN we do what we love we are happy. When we do what we are good at we are at peace. When we use what God has given us to create our own work; our rewards do not come from men but from God. Are teachers at peace, are they happy? Do they love what they are doing? Why complain about a salary for which you applied knowingly?
n I HEAR so many complaints from teachers that they are paid stones or peanuts and are living from hand to mouth. I want to know before going to interviews don’t they know what the salary scales for teachers are?
n MY sister completed Grade 12 in 2007 and until now Swakopmund SS School is keeping the certificate due to unpaid funds. Most schools sent certificates to Windhoek but I heard some refused.
Health Matters
n MINISTER of Health really you have to appoint caregivers at State hospitals. There are people who are lying in their beds who can’t do anything for themselves. Please our people are dying.
n WHY are the Gochas nurses always sending patient back? Do they have the right to do so? Minister (Richard) Kamwi do something because we are being sent back week after week!
n MR Richard Kamwi can you please do us a favour of investigating the clinic at Rosh Pinah. I suggest that you wear any type of overall and see for yourself.
NBC
n NBC where are you? Please show the theft of building materials at the construction site of the new Okalongo health centre or their appearances in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court.
n NBC: Some of the Oshiwambo newsreaders are not pronouncing the names of people, towns and places correctly. You are professionals. Please improve immediately.
n NBC you don’t need to show viewers dead seals! Namibia should be ashamed!
n THANK you NBC for the educative and informative ‘Tupopyeni’ programme. You always have interesting topic. Keep it up especially the presenter with her good maturity level.
The Apprentice
n NBC can you please try returning ‘The Apprentice’ by Donald Trump and start responding to our SMSes please. We want answers and explanations.
– Michael JC
Labour Issues
n SOCIAL Security why are you not doing something about the employers who do not want to register us at social security? We have been employed as security officers at Keetmanshoop for more than five months; but are not yet registered. Complaints about this at our offices do not bring any solution.
n IT takes almost 12 months for teachers’ maternity leave deductions to start in Ohangwena Region, especially Ohangwena circuit. Is it the same with other regions?
– Tired
Please Help
n I HAVE a policy which covers my house and the contents in the house. So when I buy something new I forward the invoice to my consultant and the new item is covered. One retailer in Windhoek refused to accept my policy. I would like to know whether they can do it or not and if not where should I go for advice?
And Justice for All
n CORRUPTION, corruption, corruption. It’s with us directly or indirectly whether we like it or not. From the top of society to the unemployed, it won’t go away. It’s like greed, envy and other social ills. Here we are sending people to serve time in jail for corruption which I think in itself is a miscarriage of justice. I don’t think these people are criminals per se they are/were greedy perhaps. Their offences are prosecutable; maybe blacklisting but not jail.
n OKALONGO clinic’s case should send a clear message to the public that it’s wrong to buy stolen goods. It is a shame that a principal, who supposed to teach children morals at school, is also involved. Are these nurses not mothers? How do you expect your children to behave? Should they follow your steps?
n THE case of theft of materials for upgrading the clinic in Okalongo shows how we are holding ourselves back in terms of development. At the end we complain that Government does not build hospitals. We are stealing from ourselves. What kind of a nation is this? The company that won this tender will not finish or finish late. At the end we will say the contractor just used up the money for himself but it is not so. It is now clear that most workers are responsible for the downfall and failure of their companies. We are a nation of thieves. All know how to complain and blame. Change Namibians, change!
Lost and Found
n I PICKED up two new car or motorbike keys with the number 0324 in Funky Town, Khomasdal. Contact 081-236-5978.
n I L Epfania lost my wallet in Windhoek on July 1. If anyone picks it up please call or SMS me on 081-213-2413. Documents and a number of cards are in it. Thanks.
n I SELMA Shapaka I lost my wallet with all my documents in Windhoek. If found please contact or SMS me at 081-308-2077.
Responses to
recent SMSes
n TO the citizen who asked ‘what happened to the Transfer Duty Amendment Bills 2010’? The Bills were passed by Parliament and are now Acts of Parliaments (Laws). They are available at: www.parliament.gov.na; then click Acts.
– Liaison Office – NA
n DEAR Haule, on your question of the criteria of one being on a N$10 coin; you have to have made a great contribution to the development of your country. Like being a community builder, freedom fighter, president or basically someone the majority of the people look up to and appreciate and can identify with. That is done all over the world. The queen is on British money, Mandela is on SA coins; even new president of Botswana Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama is already on their pulas. Ridiculous question you asked there.
– TK, Windhoek
n PLEASE fellow Namibians! Let’s not mix national issues with political and tribal issues. The Dr (Sam) Nujoma N$10 coin is not competing with the Rev Hendrik Witbooi N$10 note.
– Mr PN
n WOW. A police commander in a convoy. What is happening in Namibia? Shame he is a Police officer, he should not be protected but he should protect poor citizens.
n PATHETIC foreigner, doing assignments for people. Do your business which you came for. Don’t fuel corruption. You are a disgrace to us foreigners. Please let that phone number be given to ACC to track that culprit and his associates. A tick sucks from the victim and leaves poison; hope you are not doing that.