Aid For The Needy And Not The Greedy

IN a Russian joke God granted a peasant a wish. The peasant asked God: I want the cow of my neighbour if he dies.

In Namibia one can observe similar habits. One is reminded of the Ongombo-West story, where a profitable agricultural business was destroyed beyond recognition. The role of God was taken by the Swapo Government. The part of the peasants was taken by the employees. The result can be seen today. The new owners are helpless. They look now for an expert to run the show. The ones with the wishes gained nothing and have less than before.The next object was Ongombo-East. This time the government – obviously learning from experience – refused the vicious wishes, although it was supported by more than strange arguments. The usual prattler in the NBC Chat Show gave the information that the owner of the farm has Italian nationality and was therefore eligible for a special treatment. The reason he gave was that the Italians recently sent back African refugees – after torturing them – to the King of Africa (Colonel Muhammar al Ghadafi) from where they came. This reminds one of the adverts of Dr Tombo the traditional healer, who promises to anyone who pays him to help them get lucky in business matters or gambling. But he has also a mirror in which one can see the enemy. It should be used more frequently.The Namibian society seems to be divided between those who work hard and those who pester their neighbour, employer, the government or the other tribes. One of the young intellectuals from the think tank mentioned that everybody should earn the same salary, because all have to buy in the same shops. His remark was praised as an intellectual masterpiece. His highly sophisticated thoughts were accompanied by other constructive arguments like flush toilets and corrugated metal sheets for all rural inhabitants in Namibia paid for by Namdeb.After the election the new Swapo Government should change its course by telling the nation repeatedly that income comes from work, and work only. The goal of the new government should be that every able-bodied Namibian of working age is employed according to their capabilities and accompanied by sound work ethics. Financial support should be given only to the needy (young, old, sick, disabled) and not to the greedy.It makes little sense to pester private companies with wishes for toilets or roof sheets. Change needs different attitudes.Japie Van WykWalvis Bay