SMSes for Monday 19 November 2012
SMS Of The Day *SOME of us have turned freedom into exploitation and our land into a dust bowl. We can’t make a nation strong when it is held together by the rotten rope of self-interest. Too often we think of democracy only in terms of getting our rights.
Food for Thought
*HOW do the CEOs of Air Namibia, NamPower and TransNamib plan their operations without foresight for the welfare of their employees? One can’t make an announcement on TV saying there is no money. Remember, that all parastatals are bailed out by the taxpayer. Try to sound more business minded. They must resign and must not get golden handshakes. Citizens with skills and experience should be considered to help rescue these ailing and loss making state companies.
– Gatvol taxpayer, Soweto/Katutura
*ABRAHAM Iyambo, your plans are just delusional. If you get sponsors that will fund your so called programme of turning primary schools into School Development Fund-free schools, how long do you think that will last? Will you pay all that the schools currently benefit from SDF support? How will that be possible if schools already wait for three years or more for a year’s funds to be made available by the GRN? Your plan will fail the nation and discourage the few parents who understand the importance of contributing to SDFs from paying when your idea fails and it’s guaranteed to fail. How long will we have to hunt for sponsors? For the rest of our lives? No way sir. Think again.
*SOME people know how to speak in an interview. Coming to work they can’t perform and those who are shy or who can’t speak in the interview can do the job. How can we help those?
*FOUR hundred goats divided by 80 people equals 50 goats per person. That’s what the people get in the north of the country. In the south, between 10 and 20 goats per person. “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” Governor Bernadus Swartbooi and “hoofmanne van die suide” is it fair?
*WHETHER our leaders like it or not, the time has come to somehow find the funds to improve the serious problems resulting from unemployment and poverty. Most of our people really suffer in our financially skewed society! The results are rape, murder, theft, corruption and all other social evils! Open your eyes, see the signs and take action sooner than later!
*VOTE for the man whose promises are least, he will be the least disappointing. I hope Namibians will vote wisely in future.
*IN Germany they came first for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up. Do not let it happen to you.
*BUSINESSMEN and women in the north pledged N$2,6 million to Swapo. That money could make a difference for hospital renovations for your customers.
*MINISTER Abraham Iyambo, I can’t wait for the implementation of free primary education. I was always worried about paying school fees for my twins. They are only four years old now but I want it in full swing when they start school.
*WHY are the people in custody forced to stop smoking if it is their right?
*THE reality behind each demonstration is the salary margin between blue collar and white collar employees. Any equivalent increment across the board will only temporarily solve the problem. The answer is: narrow the salary gap between blue and white collar employees.
*WESTERN laws imposed on us gave women options, even to abort the child she doesn’t want.
*IT’S equal rights that are so misunderstood. Today, women are no longer submissive to men. Disrespect was not known in the era of our grandparents. And back then men did not raise their hands to their wives. Those marriages lasted. We can only go back to the Bible because these Western laws create confusion!
*I HAVE a lot of copies of various newspapers from all over the country.
What must a I do? Must I burn it? Suggestions please. I’m in the Ohangwena Region.
*THIS doesn’t sound right: Asking a 10 year old rape victim in court why she agreed to go with the rapist! (Tuesday’s The Namibian). She’s 10! For crying out loud! The burden of proof should lie with the rapist!
Suggestion Box
n THERE’S a real need for a filling station at the airport. Please investors, you can’t lose on that one.
*WHY not come up with performance based increases for teachers? For example, every teacher whose students excel in their subjects will then get a performance based salary increase. Bonuses should be paid using the points system based on performance. The current pass rate is pathetic. I don’t see why salary increases should be given to all. Our children are failing!
*WHY can’t the Namibian government and Air Namibia try to create a pilot training centre to have their own pilots which will be less expensive for the airline.
*EMPLOYERS must take full responsibility for retired employees’ medical benefit. People who do heavy jobs, such as in mining, their bodies are surely finished because of the jobs they had. Public hospital isn’t a solution for this problem.
Teachers
*‘IYAMBO welcomes teachers back’. It’s a uniting letter, well put and congratulations for that but it sounds like politician’s talk. A leader listens. I am not buying the story of not listening because it was an illegal strike. I beg to differ! But come to think of it, why can’t teachers de-register from Nantu and form or join another organisation? I have a feeling Nantu and the Ministry of Education are business partners!
*MINISTER Abraham Iyambo, in your speech ‘Iyambo welcomes teachers back’, you said the image and perception of teachers suffered. What about the image and perception of the minister and his deputy?
*NINETY percent of government employees can’t qualify to buy a house in their own land. Please President Hifikepunye Pohamba, avail affordable houses or change the name home loans to shack loans!
*WHAT? N$750 deducted from my peanut salary? Well, start with NBC, NamPower and NAC. If the government wants to see the system collapse then they can go ahead and deduct. By the way, where is this money going? To a child who did not get education on the days I was on strike?
Bouquets and Brickbats
*ALLOW me to congratulate The Namibian for its articles that contain substance, thoughtfulness, balance and are well-said. The article of November 16 by Martha Mukaiwa ‘No Escape: A Tale of David Ndjavera’, has all the signs of a great writer. I like.
*AUGUST Maletzky’s letter on Friday November 16, ‘Separate Advancement’, I couldn’t agree with you more. You hit the nail on the head. Stuff like nation building, one Namibia one nation etc., only make for a good political speech to gain votes. We have so many tribes in Namibia, why single out and advance only one of them. Ja nee.
*AUGUST Maletzky, it’s better to keep quiet instead of talking about things you don’t know.
*HOW does Trustco work? You go up to N$20 000 and in more than three days they reduce it to N$13 000. How can we understand that? Please explain it to us!
*PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba, consider a reshuffle. Some ministers are tired, old and incompetent.
*MEMBERS of charismatic churches, do you understand the language of tongues or are they just praying? That language is not meant for pastors and Prophets, now most of the people are using it. Any Pastor or Prophet, elaborate on this one.
*MINISTRY of Safety and Security, we are tired of attending court cases with empty stomachs. Where is our S&T money? Are you bankrupt or what? Since February?
*SPELL Quiz Bee, thank you for the competition that you gave to our learners. Keep it up. Please give the money to the winners before things get serious.
*FATHERS must stop this story of getting a girl, dating her and when she gets pregnant, refusing to take responsibility. They are contributing too much to the high number of babies being dumped.
*BOTH Namibia and South Africa are in a big mess. Presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Jacob Zuma must step down with their fat cats
*NBC is always bailed out while they do not look at cutting costs. The Oshiwambo radio station is airing programmes on radio over the phone for more than 40 minutes. And their programme that goes up to midnight is a waste of resources.
Education
*WINDHOEK Vocational Training Centre, why didn’t you admit us who were born in 1995? That’s not fair! We are also done with school. Where do you think we are going next year? Please reconsider. We beg you.
Politics
*NAMIBIANS are not stupid. Those who contributed millions of dollars during the Swapo dinner just want to buy tenders. People are sick, tired, hungry and angry. President Hifikepunye Pohamba must learn from the many strikes and demonstrations that people want change, not cheap politics. Namibians will vote for a party that has the interest of the masses at heart not for the greedy leaders of the day.
*SURPRISE, Surprise! Sur-damn-prised! Jerry Ekandjo has a son named Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Ekandjo. This is it! The writing is on the wall. I do not see Ekandjo losing here.
*SWAPO co-ordinators, you cannot prescribe to us who to choose and nobody gives you the mandate to speak on behalf of regions and neither have executives blessed those irresponsible comments.
*THE SPYL leaders must grow up. How can they call themselves leaders if they are forever busy insulting elders and spreading unfounded rumours on Facebook? They must lead by example.
*POLITBURO, diffuse the situation before it’s too late. The situation in the regions is unbearable. The attitudes of co-ordinators are out of line. To tell someone to elect one of the three candidates is immature.
Labour
*BASILIUS Haingura, tell the teachers your take-home pay as a union official.
*ONE can understand the Air Namibia pilots’ frustration. There are too many unqualified staff in senior positions being overpaid, too many foreign pilots earning more money than the Namibian pilots and top management not prepared to understand that pilots are the airline’s most important asset. They are intelligent, highly qualified staff, so don’t treat them as if they mean nothing to the airline. Without them, many people, including Theo Namases will be without work. Also, start hiring Namibian pilots. I want to be proud of my national airline!
Service please
*MEDICAL Aid scheme is very slow to give applicants their cards but fast to deduct. I applied in 2010 but up to now they just deduct for mahala.
*MUNICIPALITY of Windhoek, please do something about your bus service. This whole week we sat at the bus stop from 17h00 until 19h30.
*SOMETIMES I wish we could just give birth in the comfort of our own home. We are treated so bad at Rundu State Hospital that it will make you wish you never fall pregnant again! Please do something about the nurses there. It’s sad when you’re there and hear the language they use when responding to patients. Please help. We didn’t commit any crime for bringing children into this world.
*PLEASE do something! I did my diploma in secretarial studies at IUM last year but I still didn’t get it! I’m tired of being unemployed. I want to apply for jobs!
In and from the Regions
*MOLAMOLA Bar in Walvis Bay is very noisy. The volume of the jukebox must be reduced. We are tired of the noise.
*COUNCIL of Omundaungilo and Governor of Ohangwena Region, we need clean water and roads. We also need development even if we are at border of the country.
*I FAIL to understand the Swapo government prioritising unnecessary things. My village, King Kauluma is just 10km from Oshivelo but until now we are drinking water from boreholes. Sometimes when there’s no oil we go without water.
*COMMISSIONER of the Karas Region, please instruct the officers of Karasburg police station to stop using the accident damaged police van. The vehicle is in a bad condition but is still in use.
Lost and Found
*I, SHIDUTE Festus lost my black wallet with ID and student card. If found, please call 081-467 5765.
*RICARDO R Visser lost his purse with ID, credit card and Social Security card in the area of Katutura Hospital on Friday November 9. If found, contact 081-128 2380.
*I, P KALONDA lost my firearm licence in Windhoek last weekend. If found, please contact 081-141 0464.
*I FOUND the documents of Sylas T Mungomba. Call 081-755 7495.
*I, NATASHA Emmerencia Hanse lost my ID, bank and Unam student cards. If found, please call 081-856 5698 or bring them to Unam Khomasdal campus.
Response to Previous SMSes
*YOU haven’t seen anything yet Grade 1 parent (SMS November 16). Wait to see the favouritism playing out on the sports field and even in class. Shocking!
*I SUPPORT the idea for a toll free number to Ministry of Women and Child Welfare for young mothers who wish to give up their baby for adoption anonymously. Once set up, there should be an awareness campaign throughout the country.
*NOTE: Swapo liberated this country. NBC is a television channel. If you are not interested. Switch to another channel.