Editorial: No Substitute For Hard Work in 2006

NAMIBIA traditionally enters the New Year on a subdued note as the holiday period encroaches well into the month of January.It’s a culture that we would do well to review in the months ahead.

Namibia has not yet taken up its rightful place in terms of what the country can offer to its people in order to ensure that the majority have access to life’s basic needs. The potential is vast, but as yet unrealised.It has a strong foundation of a democracy that is 15 years old and a largely peaceful atmosphere.But in terms of economic development, the progress has not been notable and Namibia continues to be plagued by problems of widespread unemployment.This in turn presents us with many challenges for the year ahead, foremost among which is to uplift the disadvantaged people of our country.But while we need to prioritise job creation for the unemployed, we would be found wanting if we did not scrutinise the more fortunate sector of our economy to establish if they are maximising the opportunities bestowed on them to forge a new and more prosperous future for the nation as a whole.With the usual exceptions of those people who give their all, whether they are in Government, parastatals or the private sector, the prognosis overall is not good.Our work ethic is under-developed in general terms and if we are to realise the economic visions that have been drawn up for the country, we will need to seriously revise our attitudes in this regard.The ranks of the unemployed will be swelled in the year ahead, due primarily to a high failure rate in the education sector, and immediate prospects of betterment of the situation are bleak.At times like these one wonders whether it is even appropriate for the authorities to take long vacations, while this sector in particular is in need of urgent scrutiny and reform.Journalists would be the first to be able to testify to the huge absence of key people from various workplaces, including Government, at this time of the year.For it is well-nigh impossible to get hold of anyone for comment on news reports, and the litany of explanations for these absences, such as ‘on leave until the end of January’, does not cease.Our economy cannot come to a standstill simply because December and January are traditionally the holiday season in Namibia.In all sectors there should, at the very least, be seconded people available to deal with the public.There needs to be a more proactive stance from high-placed Government officials in this regard as well, and long leave would seem to be a luxury we can hardly afford under the circumstances.It is all very well for the President and other top people to call on the populace for ‘harder work in future’ while they themselves are holidaying at the coast or elsewhere and the business of Government appears to be almost suspended pending their return.We must find ways and means to ensure that the economy itself does not go into recess, for this cannot be beneficial to progress in 2006.This should be a time devoted to serious planning to avert the crises that seem to plague us every year at this time.Among others, the annual problems with securing enough places in schools to accommodate pupils.Already the maths should have been done and the solutions put in place.Those in positions of authority in whatever sector of our economy have more of a duty in this regard than the more lowly employees.For it is they who need to be available to manage any situation that may arise, and they are surely handsomely paid to do just that.In short, we must re-visit the country’s December-January slowdown and ensure that there is consistent and steady business flow throughout the year.We can otherwise forget any hopes of reviving and improving on our economic performance.The potential is vast, but as yet unrealised.It has a strong foundation of a democracy that is 15 years old and a largely peaceful atmosphere.But in terms of economic development, the progress has not been notable and Namibia continues to be plagued by problems of widespread unemployment.This in turn presents us with many challenges for the year ahead, foremost among which is to uplift the disadvantaged people of our country.But while we need to prioritise job creation for the unemployed, we would be found wanting if we did not scrutinise the more fortunate sector of our economy to establish if they are maximising the opportunities bestowed on them to forge a new and more prosperous future for the nation as a whole.With the usual exceptions of those people who give their all, whether they are in Government, parastatals or the private sector, the prognosis overall is not good.Our work ethic is under-developed in general terms and if we are to realise the economic visions that have been drawn up for the country, we will need to seriously revise our attitudes in this regard.The ranks of the unemployed will be swelled in the year ahead, due primarily to a high failure rate in the education sector, and immediate prospects of betterment of the situation are bleak.At times like these one wonders whether it is even appropriate for the authorities to take long vacations, while this sector in particular is in need of urgent scrutiny and reform.Journalists would be the first to be able to testify to the huge absence of key people from various workplaces, including Government, at this time of the year.For it is well-nigh impossible to get hold of anyone for comment on news reports, and the litany of explanations for these absences, such as ‘on leave until the end of January’, does not cease.Our economy cannot come to a standstill simply because December and January are traditionally the holiday season in Namibia.In all sectors there should, at the very least, be seconded people available to deal with the public.There needs to be a more proactive stance from high-placed Government officials in this regard as well, and long leave would seem to be a luxury we can hardly afford under the circumstances.It is all very well for the President and other top people to call on the populace for ‘harder work in future’ while they themselves are holidaying at the coast or elsewhere and the business of Government appears to be almost suspended pending their return.We must find ways and means to ensure that the economy itself does not go into recess, for this cannot be beneficial to progress in 2006.This should be a time devoted to serious planning to avert the crises that seem to plague us every year at this time.Among others, the annual problems with securing enough places in schools to accommodate pupils.Already the maths should have been done and the solutions put in place.Those in positions of authority in whatever sector of our economy have more of a duty in this regard than the more lowly employees.For it is they who need to be available to manage any situation that may arise, and they are surely handsomely paid to do just that.In short, we must re-visit the country’s December-January slowdown and ensure that there is consistent and steady business flow throughout the year.We can otherwise forget any hopes of reviving and improving on our economic performance.