Putting Youth In Their Place

AS the countdown is in process for Vision 2030, which some people believe to be far, the question is how much improved are we Namibian youth in education? Since I am a regular viewer of our local television I watched the President’s recent state of nation address in the parliament, in which he was very clear and honest, especially regarding the Healthy Ministry, as he mentioned several improvements made and those still in progress to different health institutions in all the regions. I think he could have done the same with education and unemployment which is the main crisis Namibian youth is battling with. Thousands of youth are stuck between secondary and tertiary education and this doesn’t mean that they are dumb, imbeciles or incompetent but because of life’s challenges and the fact that these youngsters are mostly from poor families.

I believe that a person who can read has many advantages over one who can’t read, and having already secured some qualifications that could pave my way to secure a job and simultaneously upgrade at my own expense at any institution in Namibia, getting employment is difficult. My fellow countrymen and women, how far should we go on with corruption and nepotism? Politicians have preached a lot about implementation of skills training institutions and vocational centres. I would like to appeal to our government to find a quick developmental approach that would lead to a success in building new resourceful technical institutions within our 13 regions that will speedily promote a comprehensive training and developmental programme in Namibia, regardless of financial uncertainty that most countries are going through.
I think other issues which are hindering development in our country, especially in the education sector that have been long overdue since we gained independence but some leaders are stagnated on the same positions. Does these mean they’re future oriented or have totally run out of ideas and things needs to be fixed with fresh-minded and educated ones. It raises lots of questions about someone having the same position for years and never getting promoted either. Is he or she too qualified for that position or there are no people who are capable of succeeding him or her?
I would suggest to our President to fairly review and prioritize this important objective that will vastly develop our beautiful country instead of negating majority of Namibian youth and being pressured by kids born in exile with their daily mumbo jumbo imposed on Swapo as if others were not born during the same era! They are unlike the war vets who deserve their packages as promised.
I never anticipated that I would write dismissing their bid but I was shocked Saturday 02 May evening on NBC news, when their Oshakati counterparts blocked the road users, making demands. How many of these struggle kids were refused entry in schools after independence? Please lets open our eyes and avoid their practices of littering the municipal places or erecting tents at Swapo HQ in Katutura which reflects badly to foreigners. These are not kids as they call themselves, but they’re mature individuals advocating irrational demands on our Swapo led-government and the whole nation at large.
They should stop abusing their status and I hope our government will regard them as a closed chapter, because this will be a blatant discrimination against those who where born within the country but contributed to the liberation struggle for our independence that every Namibian is enjoying today. Even if they decide not to vote, I am sure Swapo will retain its leadership after November elections.
I hope some people will support my opinion for these kids to stop protesting and to rebuild their future by finding responsive alternatives. Swapo needs to concentrate on nation building and fighting unemployment for all the Namibian youth who value its leadership.

Moses Obama
Via e-mail
Note: Real name and address provided. This letter has been shortened – Ed