Nama leaders appeal to President Pohamba

A delegation of Nama leaders from the south visited the new State House in Windhoek yesterday to address President Hifikepunye Pohamba on concerns in their region.

The group, headed by Karas Regional Governor David Boois, appealed to the president to take note that while the Nama people live in “probably the richest region” in the land, they qualified as being one of the poorest ethnic groups in the country. Speaking to The Namibian after the visit, the spokesperson for the southern delegation, former Karas Governor Stephanus Goliath, said the visit was not meant to offend any other groups.”There is just a strong feeling coming from the areas that we represent that the Nama are very much excluded from the development of the Karas Region, especially in economic terms,” he said.”When you take into consideration that the Karas region is known as the richest region, and in the same breath you look at the Nama people and them being among the poorest people, it’s not a good thing for this contrast to exist,” Goliath added.He said that yesterday’s visit to the President was in the hope of a future where the Nama people could benefit more from their region’s resources.He cited job opportunities at multi-national and local companies, mining houses and fishing companies as some examples of where improvements could be made.”We’re not asking for other groups to be excluded, but rather for a more appropriate ratio.Another example is in the granting of bursaries to students.Nowhere do you see a Nama child mentioned among these,” he said.Goliath said the group from the South appreciated the President’s “open ear”, and said that the presence of a large central government delegation was equally reassuring.Included among the president’s delegation were Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Minister Willem Konjore, and the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Peter Katjavivi.He said that while nothing concrete was decided on, talks around an instrument such as a committee that would look into the concerns raised was entertained.Goliath also confirmed that his delegation last week met with representatives of the fishing industry active in the Karas Region.Speaking to The Namibian after the visit, the spokesperson for the southern delegation, former Karas Governor Stephanus Goliath, said the visit was not meant to offend any other groups.”There is just a strong feeling coming from the areas that we represent that the Nama are very much excluded from the development of the Karas Region, especially in economic terms,” he said.”When you take into consideration that the Karas region is known as the richest region, and in the same breath you look at the Nama people and them being among the poorest people, it’s not a good thing for this contrast to exist,” Goliath added.He said that yesterday’s visit to the President was in the hope of a future where the Nama people could benefit more from their region’s resources.He cited job opportunities at multi-national and local companies, mining houses and fishing companies as some examples of where improvements could be made.”We’re not asking for other groups to be excluded, but rather for a more appropriate ratio.Another example is in the granting of bursaries to students.Nowhere do you see a Nama child mentioned among these,” he said.Goliath said the group from the South appreciated the President’s “open ear”, and said that the presence of a large central government delegation was equally reassuring.Included among the president’s delegation were Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Minister Willem Konjore, and the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Peter Katjavivi.He said that while nothing concrete was decided on, talks around an instrument such as a committee that would look into the concerns raised was entertained.Goliath also confirmed that his delegation last week met with representatives of the fishing industry active in the Karas Region.