Dearest Grootfontein…

FIRST of all I wish The Namibian a great year ahead.

I had a wonderful reading year with The Namibian in 2003, thank you. Like you hardworking and dedicated pros I am just trying to tell it like it is.Dearest Grootfontein, I have been thinking about writing to you for a long time now, but as you know it requires time and I am a busy guy and I have been busy in a sense roaming the streets to gather material for this letter.The reason for this letter is because I am deeply concerned about certain events and goings-on around town.To start off allow me to tell you this: unemployment around here is like the mean sidekick of AIDS.It is affecting everybody, period.A routine exists in town.Staying at home, sleeping until late in the afternoon, then it is time to go and check out a friend to go and struggle for some dollars from annoyed shoppers.Only to add up to the night’s bottle of something strong or anything illegal like hard drugs, to party till the first light of dawn, just to repeat the routine all over again.This is not morality.Month ends: While most of the unemployed members seek work, do odd jobs or simply lay low, the others mostly go home with more money than working individuals.This by asking, forcing, even threatening for a ten bucks here and there.By this means or by stealing their salary is secured.Resulting in a wild night out boozing, fighting, stabbing, unprotected sex and unnecessary death.The routine continues.There are no decent entertainment centres in town to enjoy soberly.By the way why is the play park for kids built near a busy main road and not even fenced off? Dear Grootfontein, what happened to the old times? When parents were the heads of their own homes and their children obeyed the rules.What are the youth and young adults still staying under roofs still doing on the streets after midnight? What went wrong with respect towards your elders? Lastly, I would like to add that young Namibians are the leaders of a near tomorrow.Being arrogant will lead us nowhere.So let us be positive, act positive and get down on our knees and pray from the depths of our hearts for a better Grootfontein.- Alberto Suze – GrootfonteinLike you hardworking and dedicated pros I am just trying to tell it like it is. Dearest Grootfontein, I have been thinking about writing to you for a long time now, but as you know it requires time and I am a busy guy and I have been busy in a sense roaming the streets to gather material for this letter. The reason for this letter is because I am deeply concerned about certain events and goings-on around town. To start off allow me to tell you this: unemployment around here is like the mean sidekick of AIDS. It is affecting everybody, period. A routine exists in town. Staying at home, sleeping until late in the afternoon, then it is time to go and check out a friend to go and struggle for some dollars from annoyed shoppers. Only to add up to the night’s bottle of something strong or anything illegal like hard drugs, to party till the first light of dawn, just to repeat the routine all over again. This is not morality. Month ends: While most of the unemployed members seek work, do odd jobs or simply lay low, the others mostly go home with more money than working individuals. This by asking, forcing, even threatening for a ten bucks here and there. By this means or by stealing their salary is secured. Resulting in a wild night out boozing, fighting, stabbing, unprotected sex and unnecessary death. The routine continues. There are no decent entertainment centres in town to enjoy soberly. By the way why is the play park for kids built near a busy main road and not even fenced off? Dear Grootfontein, what happened to the old times? When parents were the heads of their own homes and their children obeyed the rules. What are the youth and young adults still staying under roofs still doing on the streets after midnight? What went wrong with respect towards your elders? Lastly, I would like to add that young Namibians are the leaders of a near tomorrow. Being arrogant will lead us nowhere. So let us be positive, act positive and get down on our knees and pray from the depths of our hearts for a better Grootfontein.- Alberto Suze – Grootfontein