Politicians And The Cost Of Living

MANY Namibians cannot survive, especially those with low incomes and those who are battling for a better life.

I have a hundred questions and would like to raise only a few as time and space will catch up with me. It seems to me that the leaders of this country who we’ve elected with trust and dignity are far removed from truth and information.I would like to let them know that the prices for the basic necessities are on the increase.For instance (a 750 lt cooking oil price is about N$10), water and electricity is always increasing (a further increase is expected next month) but I wonder how some Namibians can survive in the future.The government has provided a 5% increment which is nothing compared to increases in today’s world.What is 5% to a person earning N$1500 a month or less than that? It only means something to those with high salaries, leaving the lower incomes with no difference.In the Namibian dated 16/06/2004 there is a heading saying “Politicians increase their allowances”.What is this? If they feel that it is right to increase their furniture and entertainment allowances, why have they kept it a secret only to be revealed now after it has been approved and is probably already in use.Politicians of this country keep on enriching themselves and their immediate and extended families while most of the Namibians are struggling to make ends meet.They already have high salaries with amazing benefits, while the ones with lower salaries (income) are left with nothing but the so called 5% increment.If they think that 5% increment will make a difference to a salary, why do they not do the same with their allowances? That large amount of money was supposed to contribute to the social welfare as well as economic development of this country instead of benefitting only a few particular citizens.They (politicians) must familiarize themselves with rural areas where we have schoolkids receiving their lessons under the trees with no tables or chairs.It would have been better if this money were allocated or even donated to the needy.If this continues, it is obvious that the rich will get richer and the poorer will be poor forever.Ndeyapo Kapolo Via e-mailIt seems to me that the leaders of this country who we’ve elected with trust and dignity are far removed from truth and information.I would like to let them know that the prices for the basic necessities are on the increase.For instance (a 750 lt cooking oil price is about N$10), water and electricity is always increasing (a further increase is expected next month) but I wonder how some Namibians can survive in the future.The government has provided a 5% increment which is nothing compared to increases in today’s world.What is 5% to a person earning N$1500 a month or less than that? It only means something to those with high salaries, leaving the lower incomes with no difference.In the Namibian dated 16/06/2004 there is a heading saying “Politicians increase their allowances”.What is this? If they feel that it is right to increase their furniture and entertainment allowances, why have they kept it a secret only to be revealed now after it has been approved and is probably already in use.Politicians of this country keep on enriching themselves and their immediate and extended families while most of the Namibians are struggling to make ends meet.They already have high salaries with amazing benefits, while the ones with lower salaries (income) are left with nothing but the so called 5% increment.If they think that 5% increment will make a difference to a salary, why do they not do the same with their allowances? That large amount of money was supposed to contribute to the social welfare as well as economic development of this country instead of benefitting only a few particular citizens.They (politicians) must familiarize themselves with rural areas where we have schoolkids receiving their lessons under the trees with no tables or chairs.It would have been better if this money were allocated or even donated to the needy.If this continues, it is obvious that the rich will get richer and the poorer will be poor forever.Ndeyapo Kapolo Via e-mail