SMSes for Friday 21 September 2012
SMS Of The Day *GRN, 22 years were enough time to develop infrastructure. Shift your focus now aggressively to empowering SMEs, the poor and unemployed. It’s alarming. – BAB, Karas!
Food for Thought
*BABY dumping happens mostly because of men who promise to marry these girls and women when they become pregnant. Since some of these females want be married (and men always use this as a tool) and once we become pregnant, what do these men do? They have the guts to deny the pregnancy. They call you names and these men also say and I quote, “find a father for your baby”. Understand me that baby dumping is not the answer but to who can these women turn at that very moment? Believe me at that moment I almost jumped from the second floor building but at that moment my baby moved for the first time in my belly (maybe telling me of wanting to live), she is now 27 years old. Men are the cause of all baby dumping and they know it.
*PERHAPS the entire nation should consider taking a stand against fuel regulators, the government that is, and strike by way of not filling up their cars for at least a week to get back at them. Only then will they feel the pinch of what we all are going through. In actual fact, the government and the municipalities are the main culprits or forces behind poverty. Enough is enough Namibian nation!
*HAVE we lost sanity? Millions to send game to Cuba whilst sewers are overflowing and polluting groundwater in Katutura. Do the Cuban comrades even want our buffalo, rhino and elephants?
– DeDema.
*IF Britain and Australia honour their gold medallists by featuring them on postage stamps, then surely Namibia can follow suit and put Johanna Benson’s image on a stamp? Better still, seeing that she’s our very first gold medallist, give her her own series of stamps!
*I DO not understand the logic for us the Namibians to go and buy second-hand import cars from a landlocked Botswana. We own a harbour, so we are supposed to supply them!
*EVERY Namibian who’s not involved in sports yet, you can take Johanna Benson and Frankie Fredericks as examples. Start practising daily, be committed and serious.
*OUR own people are expected to survive on just maize meal, while millions are wasted on ‘development’. Take small steps and supply us with proper food.
*LET’S stop trusting people who are not trusting us and let’s stop being used by people who want to get rich at our expense, because once you get into trouble that person vanishes into thin air and you are the one left to face the music.
– Absai Kamoho
*AS much as it seems, it is not the issue of choosing religion over children but rather choosing an alternative treatment that uses no blood transfusion. Such therapies are available worldwide and are safe. Namibians wake up!
– A nurse in Windhoek.
*NASCAM! What is this of DJs having to have a license? Playing publicly at a family wedding and house parties do not require a professional DJ. Therefore needs license exemption just as those who would be playing from original CDs and not with USBs. N$850 annually is relevant perhaps to those club DJs and alike. Your invasion is an absolute dictatorship. Look at your time frame.
*DOES Grobler’s victory mean that newspapers are responsible for defamatory readers letters published in their pages?
*IT is such a sad sad reality. Where does the government’s money go to? Looking at all state owned buildings... Damaged, destroyed and totally neglected. I have to admit, the previous regime at least fixed all of the state owned property. Minister Nghimtina, let employees occupying those buildings fix it as they get to stay there for free. Namibia is such a beautiful country. Stop vandalism.
*IN 2010, the Minister of Local Government and Housing said the government house should be alienated. The houses are in shambles. What is the delay that we cannot be made an offer to buy the houses? Regional Councils and Works simply don’t have the money to do the repairs. The statement of the Minister was in The Namibian paper. It’s a disgrace how some of these houses look, especially in Luderitz. The defence from the Regional Head is that houses are few in the regions are outdated. Ministries are building their own housing. Sell the houses please!
*SIBBINDA, out of more than 6 000 registered voters only close to 2 800 people voted during the recently concluded by-elections. What is the problem? Do people regard voters cards to be ID cards which they should have? Did people lose confidence in Namibia’s ability to deliver goods and services? Do people fear exercising their democratic right to vote for candidates of their choice? Do political parties impose candidates in whom majority of community members do not have any form of trust?
*PERHAPS the question, which the opposition parties need to ask and also provide an answer for is, at which stage in your lifetime will you, opposition parties, field one candidate in situations that might have a positive impact, meaning a win?
– From SSS in Keetmanshoop.
Politics
*HAGE Geingob, a stone of hope out of the mountain of despair. Now it’s time for the rulers of the independent Republic of Namibia to practice what they preach and prove to this peaceful nation with equally rich diverse cultures, and the world at large, whether our beloved Namibia is indeed a country of equal opportunities and chances for all and not only for a certain fraction.
*CONGRATULATIONS to the Minister of Justice Pendukeni Ithana for becoming the first female presidential candidate of Namibia. You made us proud as women of Namibia and we hope that you will be our next president!
*PEOPLE who are fuelling speculation of additional nominations at the Central Committee are those who are propagating tribal politics of pushing candidates from their tribes. CC should reject such candidates and shun such attempts.
*THE top leadership of Swapo should have endorsed the current top four as a sign of confidence in them by allowing them another term. Changes should only be allowed if any of the top four didn’t perform during the past five years. For now President Pohamba’s nomination of his current second-in-charge is to be commended as this is geared to maintain unity of purpose in the party.
– Shilongo P.K.
Bouquets and Brickbats
*TO The Namibian team, you must start rewarding constructive SMSes and help us build the nation.
*JOB well done, I have to give credit where it is due. Thank you Jerry Ekandjo for the law banning urban land auction. If only we could have more leaders who remember why we cried for Independence, but why so late? Or is it perhaps tactics to win the presidential race or just supposed love for the nation?
*POLICE officers, people sell liquor because it’s the way they earn a living. As we all know, there are no jobs to be found in Namibia. Confiscating a person’s whole shebeen is mistreating citizens. Our president must look into this. Is this treatment not indirect apartheid? We must not think because we have cars, houses and other luxuries this is how everyone lives. There are people who are living under the poverty line. We don’t even have bread on the table.
*I WANT to know why our government mistreats the nurses and Namibian Police? Those two organisations are doing very important jobs but they are hungry. Why? Can government motivate them with better salaries please?
*PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba, our president, we are in Ohangwena Region, in Oshikango constituency. Since last year when we finished enumeration during the census campaign, we did not receive the whole amount, we left our N$2 000 for training. When will we get it? Our president, give us our answer.
*“THE SAN still among the poorest of the poor,” reads the article in the New Era dated September 9, now tell me how do you expect them to cross the line if those we thought were fighting for the country were indeed fighting for their own tummies.
*STANDARD Bank shenanigans: double debit orders, funny abbreviations on statements, unfriendly at telephonic queries, opgesukkel; bye-bye, tata.
Health
*GO Comrade Ndishishi, lower the entry minimum requirements of doctors. Do not forget to request more money from treasury. You will need it when the public sue your Ministry of Health for medical negligence as a result of lowered standards.
– Ujee.
*RICHARD Kamwi, please, please go visit Gobabis Hospital. The place looks like hell. I thought Katutura Hospital was bad... No, you haven’t seen anything yet! It’s worse. I mean worse. Staff are not pitching up for work, cleaners are not cleaning properly, bedding is dirty. Staff are unfriendly. Why did the government employ people who don’t love what they do? How can you even address a patient in a language which he or she doesn’t understand? It’s rude. It’s a disgrace. It’s humans not animals. I could not believe what I saw there.
*PS of Health has the right to do it! The council received nine million from GRN. Why can’t they use that money to go to the countries and find out whether qualifications of foreigners are authentic. Remember some are working eight to 10 years with PS authorisation. If they go back they can’t show proof of registration. Remember they are treating fellow Namibians, including your families. Most of them are doing a good job and are nice people.
Education
*CAN Ministry of Education shed some light on Usakos Secondary School in Erongo? Currently there is only one qualified teacher for Grade 11. The rest are unqualified teachers, forced to teach Grade 11. We are wounded because our dreams have been ruined, our progress dropped, we are failing. No teacher seems to care. The principal doesn’t even want to listen to any complaint. Our school has both computers and laptops which no learner is allowed to have access to.
*POLYTECHIC of Namibia, when we delay our payments, drastic measures are taken by you like one can not even write exams. We want our refunds from the Polytechnic of Namibia.
*TO all our leaders it sounds very interesting. When addressing a rally they always encourage youth to enrol with VTCs but they always fail to follow up on their speech. I am going to refer to the WVTC. This centre is fooling its trainees. Just imagine a science lecturer will lecturer only two weeks prior to the exam commencing then they hand out past question papers of which one is the exact one to be featured in the exam. Yes, trainees will master that question paper but that doesn’t mean they know the subject. Now who is fooling who in education?
Labour
*MINISTRY of Labour, make a visit to Dune 7 in Walvis Bay. Workers are not paid overtime and for Sunday or public holidays. They are also not paid well.
– Concerned customer.
*CAN someone from Namdeb explain why they still employ 480 foreigners according to the brand manager, Paulina Thomas? Only 70 per cent of 1 600 workers are Namibians.
– Concerned namibian.
*MINISTER of Local Government and Housing please intervene in Witvlei Village saga. Investigate the suspension of the CEO and NHE housing and erven allocated (that were done so fast). What happened to the amount (N$8 000) deducted for erven from the loan as some councillors are on a shopping spree. Please call the Swapo Party councillors to order as RDP and UDF did. We are also voters and are aware that you might stand for the Presidency. We want the Village to develop, otherwise declare Witvlei as a settlement so nobody could illegally benefit. Show us your capability.
Unions
*PUBLIC servants, let’s just stop our contributions to Napwu. The union is useless.
*WORKERS open your eyes. Napwu is failing us. Let’s just cancel our membership. We do not eat politics. Let’s join a union that will speak on our behalf. We are left in the dark. We don’t know about salary negotiations of civil servants.
*A HUNGRY leader is a frustrated leader! Please leave comrade Nevonga alone. We really need visionary leaders like him and not these “Johnny-come-latelys” who just want to grab positions because of the millions they are reading in Napwu’s financial reports, that the newly elected leadership has been building over the years. Please resign and go. We don’t need desperate leaders who are hungry like you! Viva Napwu Viva!
*TO all nurses who are paying monthly fees to the nurses union, it’s time for us to take stock of our labour rights. Do you know that our union is not recognised by the GRN? Thus making it legally useless when it comes to bargaining powers. Furthermore, our contributions are open to abuse. Because, according to the labour act, a union has to be in recognition agreement with the employing body (e.g GRN) and is obligated to submit financial statements to the office of the labour commissioner. What is our money used for, and by whom? Are we gonna keep on paying our fees regardless of all these legalities not finalised while in the meantime we really don’t have a legal labour representative body. And just look at our status concerning labour and benefit demands. We are stuck with a toothless union. It’s time we speak up!
*NAPWU members should stop their membership with the union and form their independent union. Nowadays, trade unions no longer represent the interests of the workers rather they own shares in businesses which is a conflict of interest. Unions are run as companies. Thus, I appeal to all employees who have not yet realised the problem so they can cease their membership with such unions. It is time to re-organise and tackle the real bread and butter issues. Employees in Namibia are faced with so many challenges like housing, transport, medical aid and many more.
– HMN.
*IT is with great sorrow and shame to see Napwu delegates who re-elected Petrus Nevonga as general secretary.
Civil Servants
*CIVIL servants please stand up and speak out against poor benefits such as housing and transport. Until when will we be renting? Government must also give our seven per cent.
*DEPUTY Minister Uutoni Erastus, the rumours are very disturbing and send out the wrong impression and cause confusion through the entire Namibian police force. Can you make it clear about the police salary adjustment that you promised?
In and from the Regions
*OLUKONDA councillor, the people are planning to go on a demonstration. Until when will the community be cut off during the rainy season? We want the gravel road to Epumbu from Oshali constructed as promised. Enough is enough.
*WATER problem in Tsumeb. My main concern is about pensioners and lack of employment in Tsumeb and pre-paid water. Old people only get N$550 how will they survive? I want to see the invoice that shows that the municipality buys from God.
*TIRED of empty promises, Ongwediva Town Council, we are very tired of waiting. The last time we had a meeting you told us that you are going to remove us (Nangonyoto Location) immediately after the trade fair. It’s almost end of the year and the rain is about to start, what are you waiting for? We are tired. Talk to us rather than just sitting in your office quietly. This is now the seventh year you are lying to us. Is it because you have your nice house where water cannot settle? We are tired of you talking but nothing is up for consideration.
*TO Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Oshakati and Oshikuku Town Councils; the poor vendors you are forcing into cages that you call ‘open markets’ with no customers is unfair. To be fair to all, close all businesses that are scattered around shops and place them in one business area instead of victimising only one part of the business, with the vendors. Are we better or worse off?
*OUTAPI Town Council, what are you doing to achieve Vision 2030, if there is no public toilet in the CBD? Inspect behind Nedbank, it’s an ever disgusting place. People are just releasing themselves. Please town mayor do something!
– Elly
*ONDANGWA Town Council, leave the vendors alone. Let people sell their things. Mind other things such those broken roads. Leave the poor people alone, being uneducated doesn’t mean you must be abused. We are all Namibians, respect us too.
*ACC must come to Ariamsvlei to see how immigration and nature conservation staff are going to shebeens with GRN cars.
*PUBLIC servants deserve better. The cost of living is increasing everyday but cabinet takes years to increase our salaries. That’s really not fair. Napwu do something, or the NBC way is imminent for public servants.
*MUNICIPALITY of Okahandja, we at Vyf Rand Camp have been waiting for our houses to be installed for a very long time, about five years. We paid a sum of N$1 500 for something that we have been waiting for, for years. Can someone please intervene in this because the system that we are using now is a health risk! Do we only matter when you want our votes?
*THE Mayor of Luderitz can you please attend to our letters regarding the mayoral fund? It’s almost three months with no response. We are waiting anxiously.
– Concerned student.
*BAR worker at Usakos works from 08h00 and knocks off at 02h00. What resting? Please Ministry of Safety and Security do something.
*OKAHANDJA river sand is sold out to the Chinese. Day-in and day-out they take sand from the river, leaving deep holes that will become mosquito breeding places.
Service Please
*MINISTER of Home Affairs, how can you keep an officer for 20 years at a border post? What about the harbour or airport or is it only the reserve for favoured officials? It’s not healthy to stamp passports for 20 years.
*PRESIDENT Pohamba, we are not convinced about the changes you have brought. The NHE price for a house now stands at N$380 000. How will you convince us to vote Swapo again? Because of what? 50 per cent of people working in the government cannot afford to buy a house. Please, President Pohamba, wake up and open your eyes.
– Mathew, Walvis Bay.
*IT’S time for us nurses to show our true colours because the Ministry of Health don’t think we are human beings. Just imagine we are two or three taking care of 43 to 50 patients, while this work is supposed to be done by six people. We are tired. To be honest, to book someone to work overtime is a big issue. They told you money is a problem. But money is only a problem when it is supposed to go to nurses but not to doctors and others who eat the cake of this country as they want. The ministry is in hot water. Young ones, all of you please go and study further. Don’t waste time, your life is in your own hands. The ministry thinks they make us suffer but they make patients suffer because we are not happy anymore. We are financially, psychologically, physically and mentally sick because we are working under pressure.
*A LETTER to Sabastian Ndeitunga. I want to know from you whether it is so difficult to arrest the culprits who are roaming the whole of Namibia, pretending to not know either English, Afrikaans or any other language, looking for people to interpret for them, with the intention to rob people of their valuables and money. Because it happened to me last week. Upon telling my friends about it, every one could say it also happened to them and the law enforcement could not do anything. Are they so dangerous or what’s really the problem? I can recognise these robbers/culprits very well if I were to meet them again. I am now being treated for shock because of what happened to me.
*WAITING for FNB home loan approval is very frustrating as the process is too slow. I am waiting for four months now despite you asking me how can you help me.