SMSes for Thursday 10 May 2012
SMS Of The Day *I SALUTE the President on his call on racism and tribalism. For these evils to be contained we, as a country, must work together so that each tribe and race has equal opportunities for advancement. The current perception that you have to be from the right race/tribe to get bursaries jobs etc breeds evil.
Food for Thought
*IT’S not the Chinese, it’s us stupid Namibians allowing our political leaders, especially the ruling party through Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) to corrupt and sell our country out. I agree with Henning Melber’s article.
Bouquets and Brickbats
*UNLIKE in the case of my brother Bob Kandetu at NBC, the reinstatement of the Directorate of Civil Aviation director is a welcome relief! At least it confirms, that despite the tendency in certain quarters to run the affairs of our nation as their own, the rule of law, equity and fairness is still possible when Namibians of goodwill are willing to speak out and not to remain silent forever!
– Upeuatjike
*THANKS and well done to Air Namibia’s Cape Town office. Very helpful and efficient in sorting out a flight booking.
*(NBC Director General Albertus) Auchomub we’re not stupid - you got N$108 million from government so give workers a fair increase first - then spend the balance on other aspects. Staff must come first surely?
*REGARDING an article about rhinos, I would only like to point out to you, that if the African and Asian governments don’t stop the slaying, the rhino will soon be extinct. It is big business as you can see by the following arithmetic. 2011 - 400 rhinos killed at +/- 3 kg horn = 1 200 kg x U$65 000 /Kg = U$78 000 000 x 7.8 = N$608 400. Unless there is a flaw in my thinking, we are on the way to make it even more this year. Run rhino run. Good luck.
Politics
*NAMIBIANS everybody in our country is a Christian. That’s why we adapted names like Jerry. Why do you attack the minister for expressing his democratic right? Is it a crime for someone to speak of, or wear, Swapo Party colours in church? Marco Hausiku, the Deputy Prime Minister of this country is ever present in the church I attend. So what is the different? Are you people saying Swapo members are not Christians? Come on. Whether it happens is a non-issue and go on Minister Ekandjo as there is nothing wrong with your speech.
*MINISTER Jerry Ekandjo you are very mistaken, the church is for Christ not for politics. As Christians we are soldiers of Christ to help all people. We are apolitical, don’t divide us. If you don’t know what a church is, just leave it please.
– Festus
*COMRADE Ekandjo, what got into you? Come on, let us draw a line between political issues and other things. Why do you want people to wear Swapo attire at church? If it’s so, then teachers and nurses should also wear theirs at work.
*MINISTER Jerry Ekandjo why should people wear Swapo colours to church services? We don’t want to see that. Please just come up with something which will build the nation and not bring politics into churches!
*I HOPE that the likes of Jerry Ekandjo will not become a president.
*MINISTER Ekandjo must become a bishop if he want to rule churches.
Running the Show
*PLEASE our government look after orphans. I thank you for what you are already doing for them but N$200 is not enough to buy school uniform and pay school fees. Think about it please.
– Queen
Education
*MINISTRY of Education take note that there’s a lack of posts for heads of departments in this country. Yet when teachers apply for a principal’s post they are told they must have served in management positions. Otherwise that criteria of serving in management should not be considered anymore, as long as years of experience and qualifications are fine.
*SCHOOLS in Karasburg are a disgrace. Teachers are worse than the learners. Nothing is done. Affairs of the schools are mismanaged.
– A concerned parent.
Health Matters
*RE: MANDATORY HIV testing. The decision to test all foreign students is a requirement by the Chinese government, not the Namibian government. The Legal Assistance Centre can only negotiate with the Namibian government but cannot take the Chinese to court.
*HEALTH Minister Kamwi, stop importing nurses. Consider the language barrier or also employ translaters: rather invest in local nurses who have the interests of the nation at heart and also render quality care. Just respect them, honour them and keep them happy. They are proud Namibians who are here to stay!
Labour Issues
*THE (name supplied) hotel doesn’t pay us overtime on Sundays and public holidays. Instead they give us off days. We want money. We don’t want off days. Ministry of Labour please help out.
*A COMPANY can’t get work permits renewed through normal channels, but union officials promise them and get them. How legal can it be?
*I WONDER about most of the vacancies. They say persons with disability are encouraged to apply. But when we do we are not even called for interviews. In the Caprivi Region only three people with disabilities are working in the ministries of health, education and works. We are really discriminated against in the working environment. Everybody has the right to work.
*ALMOST a year has passed, but we have not receieved our census pay. Will we get our money or not? We just want to know.
NBC
*NBC, well done. Tupopyeni’ is a great talk show. Make it daily please. It may help solve social issues in Namibia.
Law and Order
*IT is not clear what the police suggestion boxes are all about. Should the public give crime related information, criticise police actions or suggest how the police should perform their tasks?
In and From the Regions
*OTJIWARONGO municipality we the community in Etambi area are dying from the dust. Can you please wet the road twice a day or ask for advice from other municipalities? Our health is at risk. Maybe you need a health inspector to look into this matter. If you don’t have one, get one for the sake of your community.
*KARIBIB town council, why is our town so dirty?
– Very disappointed, Karibib
*DOES the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry know that King Kauluma people in Oshikoto Region are still drinkng untreated water from a borehole 22 years after indepedence and the water is sour?
– A thirsty man
*DONKEYS must not be killed, there are still people who need to use them in the nothern part of the country.
Sporting
*FOR those asking where the spectators were during the recent international atlethics competition, please ask organisers to properly advertise these type of events. Namibians love their sport.
*IT’S now very clear the only boxer who can take out Mayweather, is a top class, fit Harry Simon. A dream fight, I guess, without anyone standing up and sponsoring the Walvis pugilist. Simon is and was always top class. He will bring us tens of ring glories.
Service Please
*WHY still such poor customer service Telecom? I thought I would make life easier for both of us by going to your website and downloading the broadband upgrade forms ... only to find out, upon handing them in, that the forms on their site are outdated and for 2007. The least a telecommunications company should get right is a website.
– Frauke
Responses to recent SMSes
*CHINA-Namibia relationship! Sir Madam Gwen is 100 per cent correct. Namibia did not benefit. China gives money, then they sent their citizens to come and take their money back home. We will pay that money back to China with interest. Who benefits?
*THE reader who asked for ‘vocational’ classes for maths should rather attend the English classes. Maybe you meant ‘vacation’ classes.
– Teacher
*I AGREE with a principal’s five-year term but why can’t all government employees be appointed on a five-year term?
*THE fact that learners are failing accounting in Grade 10 is not because of the teacher but the poor foundation laid at primary schools in that subject. Why are primary teachers not blamed?
*COMPLAINTS about too few Namibians in senior positions at Unam? I have said it before (in light of the sex-for-marks allegations) and I’ll say it again even though The Namibian seems reluctant to publish my statement: a fish rots from the head. The lecturers would be the ones to offer sex first and not the students. Likewise, the staff appointments at Unam are done with the oversight of Namibian seniors who seem to have little confidence in their compatriots and, by extension, in their own abilities.
*THERE are certainly qualified Namibians available who are competent to lead Unam academically. Why foreign deans, especially in agriculture? How do they recruit? Please investigate and report to the nation!