SMSes for Tuesday 24 April 2012
SMS Of The Day *IS it possible to get some statistics or just an update on the land distribution programme? And I don’t mean just how much land has changed hands. I’d like to know what those people who benefitted from the programme are doing with their new property. Word on the street is that acres of cultivated land are now lying fallow with dozens of families building shacks on what used to be profitable land. Is this really the case? And if so how can we ever expect this programme to be a success?
Food for Thought
*EQUAL pay should be in line with equal work output and quality of work produced and not based on who knows who and cultural preference.
*HOW can we have faith in our leaders if corruption and land grabbing is tolerated and practised at high political level? President Pohamba please deliver the promise made to root out corruption!
Bouquets and Brickbats
*NAMIBIANS we are such serious people and we forget to celebrate even small things and laugh about ourselves. Thank you Rambler, Severius Majiedt, Dudley, the SMS page, frontlining on Twitter and our great editor Tangeni Amupadhi. So many things to be happy for and most importantly to laugh about ourselves. I just love Namibians, we are a great nation.
– Rev Ed Amadhila
*THANKS The Namibian sports reporter. I got the Manchester United Everton results in time. That’s a great improvement. God bless you.
– Adv N M Baloyi
*DEAR Mr Editor, when you published the article ‘Religion is a goldmine’ what did you want to put across?
*YOUR picture on page B2 (on Friday) shows maize, not millet.
*I FEEL for you Gerson! (‘Good degree no job’) The Namibian, April 20. As you rightly mentioned a university degree is no longer enough to find a job. Your destiny and that of your beloved country is in your hands. The ship is sinking! As youth of this country, captain it!
*IN solidarity with my fellow citizen Gerson Hamupolo on ‘'Good Degree No Job’' -there're only two things about Namibian lawmakers when it comes to underemployment and unemployment among the Namibian graduates: either they don't know how to use the local skills effectively or they don't want to work with 'some' young educated Namibians period! An ordinary teacher with a Master's Degree in Education
*JUST landed from Arusha and could not relate what Information and Communications Technology Minister was saying about Tanzania ‘struggling economically’ to what I witnessed – a growing economy. Minister Kaapanda I bet you have not visited Tanzania since the struggle days.
*THERE are a few elites running around trying to grab the economy of this country and keeping it for themselves! These elites are not the whites we always try to blame, these are fellow blacks who should know better! Greedy individuals who parade around in the name of the party and leave the masses behind to starve! What has changed after independence as far as the majority’s living conditions? Not much. The BEE is the same group of people grabbing more and more! Look at all the projects, same faces or their families standing in for them. Look at some of our retired ministers etc. Filthy rich! How?
*MY concern is how we Namibian people are using alcohol. Do we have a plan for our country’s future? Please leaders can you discuss this matter because now everywhere you go it is just bars, people are drinking 07h00 to 19h00. What example are giving to the new generation? I don't think we will reach our dream for Vision 2030 if we continue with alcohol like this. Please Namibian people change!
NBC
*NBC and New Era are electronic and print media established to inform and disseminate information to the nation and not serve or protect Swapo or the government as Swapo MPs want to put it in Parliament. I think as from now on NBC director general must watch out as Swapo MPs are on their way to remove him because his not running NBC in their favour.
Health Matters
*DOES the Minister of Health know that the Multi Regional Medical Depot in the North is in critical condition because of the dust? Dust also causes major health conditions among the staff and medical supplies as well.
– Concerned staff
*WHY is it that electronic equipment in government hospitals is forever broken down, yet this is rarely the case at private hospitals?
Labour Issues
*MINISTER of Labour we were employed as contract workers on the Omakange to Okahao road and we finished the work. Now the company refuses to pay us severance pay for three years and tells us it’s not in our contract. Please help us.
*REFERRING to Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare press release: It is really very sad that most of the owners of security companies who do not respect labour regulations are also from previously marginalised backgrounds.
Law and Order
*TO the police in Swakopmund please step up your patrols. There is a gang going around breaking into cars. I know of six cases this weekend just from my friends. Please catch these guys!
City of Windhoek
*AT Tukondjeleni open market at Okuryongava people pay N$2 when they use the toilets. City of Windhoek community development department tell us how you use the money collected from community people?
In and From the Regions
*I AM amazed at the way the Swakopmund Council deals with such urgent matters. The DRC is still not formalised. Where there is no vision people perish in poverty. Our people deserve honesty, they voted for you to bring change.
*WHY are Walvis Bay councillors very fast to approve some projects while delaying projects for the poor? Is it because of tips and bribes?
*WALVIS Bay councillors we elected you and our trust is fading. Minister please get them an advisor.
*Why is there no water supply in Oshikango? This happens every day and no information from town council or NamWater.
Sporting
*IT is disappointing if not disturbing to see that the Karas Region is not represented at the Namlife Under-17 Youth Games due to take place in April. Research has shown that people who are actively involved in sports are above-average academic performers, not to mention A students.
Service Please
*IS the Ministry of Home Affairs aware that the system for full birth certificates has been off for more than five months now? We cannot apply for student loans and other things since we don’t have a full birth certificate. I applied last year in March thinking that I was doing it early. Please do something.
*NBC, MTC, Leo and Telecom, are you aware that there is no radio reception and network coverage at Omatako village in Tsumkwe north? Can you please do something, these people are in darkness.
*WHAT’S with MNET? All day long we get this msg: ''E120-4 Please wait while the card is being synchronised'' for more than 15 minutes. We eventually switch off in desperation but also miss out on the end of a movie etc! Rather go after those who are pirating programmes without the necessary viewer's licence.
*MULTICHOICE you should start providing chairs for your customers, service takes too long – my back is breaking while standing in the long queue.
Responses to recent SMSes
*TSUDAO Gurirab’s analysis of Zimbabwe was spot on. Even if he hasn’t been there, he’s right. I am Zimbabwean and can confirm. The country has been plundered by a ruthless dictator for the sake of retaining power. In the process he ruined the economy and corrupted the security services and the ruling elite. Recovery, if it’s even possible, will take many decades. No amount of rhetoric about neocolonialism will take away these simple facts.
*TSUDAO Gurirab was spot on. I am a Zimbo in Namibia and left Zimbabwe in 2002 after a close shave with death at the hands of Zanu PF and state agents. In 2008 as you rightly stated since you were there as an observer I lost relatives and friends and some were severely traumatised. So those Zanu PF apologists criticising your factual article must be ignored because Africa, the world, Zimbos and them too know you are right and on spot. Thank you and keep writing.
– Zimbo
*‘A Nation of Drunkards’ we are indeed! Shame to the Namibian government for failing to curb this problem! We salute Comrade Kandjii for closing Herero Mall. Maybe alcoholism there will be reduced! As for Eveline Street there is nothing to envy – alcoholism, crime and prostitution are what you see there.
*MINISTER Ngatjizeko, old age is a reality, not a privilege. At 60 you are entitled to get that pension. Create jobs.