Neka to host first congress

THE Namibian Exile Kids Association (Neka) will host its first congress this Friday.
New leaders will be elected at the congress to fill the positions of chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer and secretary general.

The positions of chairperson and vice chairperson are currently held by Selma Neumbo and Oiva Amuthenu.Former NDF Lieutenant General Martin Shalli and Prime Minister Nahas Angula will address the congress.Neka was established in 2008 and to date has close to 60 paid-up members. The association seeks to promote the social and economic welfare of those who were born or grew up in exile and relies solely on donations for its existence. Also on the congress agenda will be the Neka constitution which, according to Neka spokesperson Benitha Nakaambo, is in its final stages. ‘Getting the Neka constitution endorsed and sharing it with the beneficiaries thereof is one of the resolutions we will be looking at at this conference. We will also look at the placement of exile kids within Namibia, looking at exactly where we fit in and what has been made available to us,’ she said. The congress, which is by invitation only, will be attended by two delegates from each region and also aims to elect delegates from the different regions to establish Neka regional branches. ‘Currently we only have branches in Katima Mulilo, Oshana and Kavango Region. We are hoping from this congress we will set up regional offices, however it all boils down to resources,’ said Nakaambo.The government has registered more than 6 000 people born in exile, some of whom have been provided with jobs. Nevertheless, Nakaambo said many of them continue to live in poverty. She cited rejection as one of the challenges faced by Neka itself and its members.’Whenever we approach people for help or funding, we are met with an attitude of rejection. As much as we as Neka want to do so much for our beneficiaries, we are unfortunately unable to because we don’t have funds,’ said Nakaambo.Membership of the association is open to anyone who was born or grew up in exile. Regarding Neka’s position on the protesting ‘Children of the Liberation Struggle’ who were recently forcibly removed from the premises of the Veterans’ Affairs Ministry, Nakaambo acknowledged that the group falls under the scope of Neka’s activities.’Neka sympathises and understands that we need to get various problems solved, but they need to exercise patience,’ she said.’There are processes in place that need to be followed. We cannot operate in a vacuum and thus we need to be patient. Neka is here and we are working on our constitution that will give us stable ground,’ she said.